Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining a vehicle reference speed using an off-board-based input speed and an onboard-based input speed. The off-board-based input speed is representative of a moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data received from an off-board device. The onboard-based input speed is representative of the moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data obtained from an onboard device. The method includes using the vehicle reference speed to at least one of measure wheel creep for one or more wheels of the vehicle system or control at least one of torques applied by or rotational speeds of one or more motors of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining a vehicle reference speed using an off-board-based input speed and an onboard-based input speed. The off-board-based input speed is representative of a moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data received from an off-board device. The onboard-based input speed is representative of the moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data obtained from an onboard device. The method includes using the vehicle reference speed to at least one of measure wheel creep for one or more wheels of the vehicle system or control at least one of torques applied by or rotational speeds of one or more motors of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes obtaining an off-board-based input speed of a vehicle system traveling along a curved segment of a first route. The off-board-based input speed is obtained from data provided by an off-board device disposed off the vehicle system. The method also includes determining a heading of the vehicle system from the data provided by the off-board device and calculating a curvature of the curved segment of the first route using the off-board-based input speed and the heading of the vehicle system while the vehicle system travels along the curved segment of the first route.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes obtaining an off-board-based input speed of a vehicle system traveling along a curved segment of a first route. The off-board-based input speed is obtained from data provided by an off-board device disposed off the vehicle system. The method also includes determining a heading of the vehicle system from the data provided by the off-board device and calculating a curvature of the curved segment of the first route using the off-board-based input speed and the heading of the vehicle system while the vehicle system travels along the curved segment of the first route.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining a vehicle reference speed using an off-board-based input speed and an onboard-based input speed. The off-board-based input speed is representative of a moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data received from an off-board device. The onboard-based input speed is representative of the moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data obtained from an onboard device. The method includes using the vehicle reference speed to at least one of measure wheel creep for one or more wheels of the vehicle system or control at least one of torques applied by or rotational speeds of one or more motors of the vehicle system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems including a truck and a spring system for an axle are provided. In one example, a truck includes an unpowered axle spring system that is configured to generate an overall unpowered axle separation force between a truck frame and an unpowered axle carrier. The overall unpowered axle separation force has a rate of decrease that increases past a first separation distance between the truck frame and the unpowered axle carrier. A powered axle spring system is configured to generate a powered axle separation force between the truck frame and a powered axle carrier. The powered axle separation force has a rate of decrease that decreases past a second separation distance between the truck frame and the powered axle carrier.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle having a first truck with a first lift mechanism and a second truck with a second lift mechanism, each of the first and second trucks further configured with a plurality of axles, each of the first and second lift mechanisms configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one embodiment, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the first lift mechanism different from the second lift mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.

Abstract: A traction control system for controlling an electric traction motor drivingly coupled to a wheel of a tractive vehicle. The traction control system includes means for determining speed of the wheel, means for determining tractive effort of the wheel and a control circuitry for controlling drive signals to the motor based upon the wheel speed and tractive effort.