Abstract: The electric vehicle can include: a payload interface, a payload suspension, a chassis, a set of bumpers, a sensor suite, a controller, a chassis suspension, and an electric powertrain. The electric vehicle 100 can optionally include a payload adapter, a power source, a cooling subsystem, and/or any other suitable components. The electric vehicle functions to structurally support a payload, such as a cargo container (e.g., intermodal container, ISO container, etc.), and/or to facilitate transportation of a payload via railway infrastructure.

Abstract: The electric vehicle can include: a payload interface, a payload suspension, a chassis, a set of bumpers, a sensor suite, a controller, a chassis suspension, and an electric powertrain. The electric vehicle 100 can optionally include a payload adapter, a power source, a cooling subsystem, and/or any other suitable components. The electric vehicle functions to structurally support a payload, such as a cargo container (e.g., intermodal container, ISO container, etc.), and/or to facilitate transportation of a payload via railway infrastructure.

Abstract: The method can include: creating a platoon; maintaining a platoon; responding to a platoon event; and separating a platoon. However, the method can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate cooperative transportation (platooning) of a plurality of payloads by way of the cars.

Abstract: The method can include: creating a platoon; maintaining a platoon; responding to a platoon event; and separating a platoon. However, the method can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate cooperative transportation (platooning) of a plurality of payloads by way of the cars.

Abstract: The electric vehicle can include: a payload interface, a payload suspension, a chassis, a set of bumpers, a sensor suite, a controller, a chassis suspension, and an electric powertrain. The electric vehicle 100 can optionally include a payload adapter, a power source, a cooling subsystem, and/or any other suitable components. The electric vehicle functions to structurally support a payload, such as a cargo container (e.g., intermodal container, ISO container, etc.), and/or to facilitate transportation of a payload via railway infrastructure.

Abstract: A Rail Drone can include: a payload interface, a drivetrain, and a rail platform(515). The Rail Drone can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The Rail Drone can integrate a standardized payload interface and an autonomous electric road vehicle platform into a rolling stock architecture. The Rail Drone can be a stand-alone, payload-agnostic, motive element which can be independently or cooperatively capable of carrying heavy loads across long distances at various cruising speeds.

Abstract: A Rail Drone can include: a payload interface, a drivetrain, and a rail platform 515. The Rail Drone can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The Rail Drone can integrate a standardized payload interface and an autonomous electric road vehicle platform into a rolling stock architecture. The Rail Drone can be a stand-alone, payload-agnostic, motive element which can be independently or cooperatively capable of carrying heavy loads across long distances at various cruising speeds.

Abstract: An indexing system and method are provided for improving retrieval of data based on a query from a user from a database management system including a main computer and a memory coupled to the main computer for storing the data. The indexing system includes a parallel computer coupled to the main computer and a parallel disk array coupled to the parallel computer. The invention includes the steps of storing record based data in the memory of the database management system, storing a value based index of selected attributes related to the record based data on the parallel disk array, and determining whether the parallel computer can be used to execute a query to obtain at least a partial result to the query. If so, the query is sent to the parallel computer and the query is executed on the parallel computer to obtain at least a partial result.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a multiprocessor data processing system. The data processing system of the invention generally comprises a plurality of microprocessor units and an instruction memory device electrically storing a common set of instructions in a pre-ordered sequence, each of said instructions being stored in representative, digital, electrical signal form. A tapped delay line instruction bus system is provided to electrically interconnect the instruction memory with each of the microprocessor units. The tapped delay line instruction bus system includes a plurality of individual tap buses and electrical controls operable to apply the digital electrical signals for each of the instructions stored in the instruction memory device to each of the individual tap buses, one tap bus at a time, in a timed, time-skewed sequence.