Abstract: A system includes a simulation module and a mapping module. The simulation module is configured to simulate performance of a first mission over at least one route by a first vehicle, and to simulate the performance of the first mission using route information corresponding to one or more characteristics of the at least one route and vehicle information corresponding to one or more characteristics of the first vehicle. The simulation module is configured to determine performance characteristics for the first mission, with the performance characteristics including at least one fuel usage characteristic evaluated for plural sections of the at least one route. The mapping module is configured to provide a fuel efficiency map describing fuel usage along at least a portion of the at least one route using the performance characteristics determined by the simulation module.

Abstract: In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring an available amount of electrical energy on an electrical power grid for powering one or more loads at one time. The available amount of electrical energy represents an amount of electrical energy that may be consumed at one time without exceeding a grid capacity. The method also includes monitoring an electrical energy demand of plural electric vehicles traveling on a network of routes that includes one or more conductive pathways extending along the routes for delivering the electrical energy from the electrical power grid to the electric vehicles. The method further includes controlling movements of the electric vehicles such that the electrical energy demand of the electric vehicles does not exceed the available amount of electrical energy on the electrical power grid.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle consist may include a control module that interfaces with router transceiver units coupled to a cable bus, and can communicate network data between vehicles having a transceiver unit over a cable bus.

Abstract: A system includes a router transceiver unit that is configured to be disposed on-board a vehicle system. The vehicle system may have at least a source vehicle and a separate linked vehicle that are mechanically linked with each other to travel together along a route and that are communicatively linked with each other through a system network of the vehicle system. The router transceiver unit is configured to be communicatively coupled to a requesting operational component of the source vehicle and the system network. The router transceiver unit is also configured to receive a local data packet from the requesting operational component that is directed toward a target operational component of the linked vehicle. The router transceiver unit includes an encapsulation module that is configured to transform the local data packet into an in-tunnel data packet, where the local and in-tunnel data packets have different packet formats.

Abstract: A method includes operating a vehicle traveling in a transportation network with a throttle of the vehicle at a maximum throttle setting during a trip of the vehicle along a route from a first location to a different, second location. The method also includes applying a dynamic brake of the vehicle at a maximum brake setting of the dynamic brake, and alternating between operating the vehicle with the throttle at the maximum throttle setting and applying the dynamic brake of the vehicle at the maximum brake setting along a route being traveled by the vehicle from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: System including an effort-monitoring system configured to control tractive efforts (TEs) individually produced by propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system. The effort-monitoring system is configured to control each of the propulsion-generating vehicles to provide a respective prescribed TE. The vehicle system operates at a system TE when each of the propulsion-generating vehicles is providing the respective prescribed TE. The prescribed TEs are determined by at least one of an operating plan of the vehicle system or a regulation that limits TE or ground speed of the vehicle system. In response to determining that a first propulsion-generating vehicle is providing a reduced TE that is less than the prescribed TE of the first propulsion-generating vehicle, the effort-monitoring system is configured to control a second propulsion-generating vehicle to exceed the prescribed TE of the second propulsion-generating vehicle so that the vehicle system is operating at or below the system TE.

Abstract: A method for de-rating propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system includes identifying a feature of interest in a route and identifying one or more propulsion-generating vehicles as de-rating vehicles that are subject to a handling rule associated with the feature of interest. The handling rule dictates that throttle settings be limited to a reduced range when traveling over the feature of interest. The method further includes, when the de-rating vehicles are traveling along the route and outside of the feature of interest, operating the de-rating vehicles using a larger range of throttle settings and, responsive to approaching and/or traveling over the feature of interest, automatically de-rating at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by operating the at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles using the smaller range of throttle settings during travel over the feature of interest.

Abstract: In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform.

Abstract: A method includes receiving weather data of weather at least one of encountered or to be encountered by one or more vehicles in a vehicle system traveling on a trip along a route. The method also includes, based at least in part on the weather data, determining a first estimated weight of the vehicle system. The first estimated weight accounts for mass attributable to the weather. The method further includes controlling movements of the vehicle system during the trip based at least in part on the first estimated weight of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for determining a slack condition of a vehicle system includes determining when each of first and second vehicles reaches a designated location along a route. The method also includes communicating a response message from the second vehicle to the first vehicle responsive to the second vehicle reaching the designated location, calculating a separation distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a time delay between a first time when the first vehicle reached the designated location and a second time when the second vehicle reached the designated location, and determining a slack condition of the vehicle system based on the separation distance. The slack condition is representative of an amount of slack in the vehicle system between the first and second vehicles.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring an available amount of electrical energy on an electrical power grid for powering one or more loads at one time. The available amount of electrical energy represents an amount of electrical energy that may be consumed at one time without exceeding a grid capacity. The method also includes monitoring an electrical energy demand of plural electric vehicles traveling on a network of routes that includes one or more conductive pathways extending along the routes for delivering the electrical energy from the electrical power grid to the electric vehicles. The method further includes controlling movements of the electric vehicles such that the electrical energy demand of the electric vehicles does not exceed the available amount of electrical energy on the electrical power grid.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining motive outputs demanded by a trip plan for a vehicle system having interconnected propulsion-generating vehicles, determining motive output capabilities of the propulsion-generating vehicles, and identifying segments of the trip where the motive output capabilities of the propulsion-generating vehicles exceed motive outputs demanded by the trip plan over the segments. The method further includes selecting one or more of the propulsion-generating vehicles for turning at least one of off or to idle in the one or more segments while one or more remaining propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system remain on. The propulsion-generating vehicles are selected such that a total motive output capability of the one or more remaining propulsion-generating vehicles remains at least as great as the motive outputs demanded by the trip plan over the one or more segments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity.

Abstract: A method for controllably linking propulsion units in a vehicle consist includes transmitting a linking signal having an identity of a lead propulsion unit. A remote propulsion unit is remotely controlled by the lead unit when the identity matches a designated identity stored onboard the remote unit. A de-linking signal is transmitted from the lead unit when the lead unit is to be decoupled from the vehicle consist. The de-linking signal includes a replacement identity of a replacement propulsion unit. A replacement linking signal is transmitted from a second lead unit. The remote propulsion unit allows the second lead propulsion unit to remotely control the operations of the remote propulsion unit when replacement identity stored onboard the remote propulsion unit matches an identity that is communicated in the replacement linking signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing data generated in a vehicle group. One example embodiment comprises selectively off-boarding a data set generated at a first vehicle in the vehicle group for storage purposes, the first data set off-boarded to one or more of a second vehicle in the vehicle group and a remote storage device.

Abstract: A system includes an application device, a control unit, a detection unit, an identification unit, and a secondary analysis module. The application device is configured to be at least one of conductively or inductively coupled with a route. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current to inject an examination signal into the route via the application device. The detection unit is configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the route. The identification unit is configured to examine the one or more electrical characteristics of the route to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged. The secondary analysis module is configured to perform a secondary analysis of the potentially damaged section of the route to at least one of confirm that damage has occurred, identify a type of damage, or assess a level of damage.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first wireless communication device disposed onboard a vehicle system having two or more propulsion-generating vehicles that are mechanically interconnected with each other. The communication system also includes a controller configured to be disposed onboard the vehicle system and operatively connected with the first wireless communication device in order to control operations of the device. The controller is configured to direct the first wireless communication device to switch between operating in an off-board communication mode and an onboard communication mode. When the first wireless communication device is operating in the off-board communication mode, the device is configured to receive remote data signals from a location that is disposed off-board of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A system includes first and second control modules, an energy management module, and an arbitration module. The first and second control modules are on-board first and second powered vehicles coupled by at least a third vehicle in a vehicle consist. The first control module forms control signals to coordinate tractive efforts provided by the vehicle consist. The energy management module is on-board the second powered vehicle and is communicatively coupled with the second control module. The energy management module forms control signals that are transmitted by the second control module to control the tractive efforts provided by the first powered vehicle and the second powered vehicle based on a trip profile associated with a trip of the vehicle consist. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the first and second control modules. The arbitration module determines which of the control modules controls the tractive efforts provided by the vehicle consist.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first wireless communication device disposed onboard a vehicle system having two or more propulsion-generating vehicles that are mechanically interconnected with each other. The communication system also includes a controller configured to be disposed onboard the vehicle system and operatively connected with the first wireless communication device in order to control operations of the device. The controller is configured to direct the first wireless communication device to switch between operating in an off-board communication mode and an onboard communication mode. When the first wireless communication device is operating in the off-board communication mode, the device is configured to receive remote data signals from a location that is disposed off-board of the vehicle system.