Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of a first operating parameter produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable; receiving a second value of the first operating parameter produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; adjusting the second value by a first adjustment factor, the first adjustment factor based on a first value of a global positioning system (GPS) position of the first vehicle produced by the first vehicle and a second value of a GPS position of the second vehicle produced by the second vehicle; and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the adjusted second value of the first operating parameter.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of a first operating parameter produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable; receiving a second value of the first operating parameter produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; adjusting the second value by a first adjustment factor, the first adjustment factor based on a first value of a global positioning system (GPS) position of the first vehicle produced by the first vehicle and a second value of a GPS position of the second vehicle produced by the second vehicle; and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the adjusted second value of the first operating parameter.

Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and system are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of an operating parameter indicative of an ambient environmental condition produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable, receiving a second value of the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle, and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the operating parameter.

Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system which operates based on a profile. The monitoring system includes a controller to initiate a query to the operator during an operation of the powered system. The query is used to prompt the operator for information related to the operation of the powered system along the profile. The controller compares a response to the query with a correct answer of the query to determine the alertness of the operator.

Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system which operates based on a profile. The monitoring system includes a controller to initiate a query to the operator during an operation of the powered system. The query is used to prompt the operator for information related to the operation of the powered system along the profile. The controller compares a response to the query with a correct answer of the query to determine the alertness of the operator.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system. The system includes a controller configured to initiate an alert countdown upon determining a lack of input received from the operator during an operation of the powered system. The controller is configured to communicate an alert to the operator during the alert countdown. Additionally, the controller is configured to measure a response time of the operator to the alert. A method is also provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system.

Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system. The system includes a controller configured to initiate an alert countdown upon determining a lack of input received from the operator during an operation of the powered system. The controller is configured to communicate an alert to the operator during the alert countdown. Additionally, the controller is configured to measure a response time of the operator to the alert. A method is also provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system.

Abstract: The present invention provides pre-assembled wedding canopies and methods for making and installing them. The wedding canopies attach to a ceiling or overhead structure and are preferably made from textile material. A canopy may include multiple arms that extend from a central mounting point to a series of radial mounting points, and generally vertical members that drape downward from the radial mounting points. The canopies are provided in an organized, compact unit with textile sections that are secured together at a fastening site. The end of each textile section is folded or rolled into a flat, which can remain folded during installation activities to avoid the hassle of working around unwieldy lengths of fabric.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product are provided for reporting and processing information relating to railroad assets to user entities that form part of a railroad transportation network. The entities may comprise a plurality of entity groups performing distinct functions relative to the railroad assets, such as forming, operating, maintaining and/or servicing the assets of the railroad transportation network.