Abstract: A vehicle monitoring device includes a camera or other optical sensor configured to be disposed at a trailing end of a first vehicle system. The camera or other optical sensor is configured to output one or more images or video of a field of view behind the first vehicle system. The monitoring device also includes a controller configured to receive output from one or more sensors and to activate the camera or other optical sensor to output the one or more images or video based on the output from the one or more sensors. The output from the one or more sensors indicates one or more of a change in movement of the first vehicle system, a temperature, an acoustic sound, or movement of a second vehicle system.

Abstract: A remote initialization system and method for a vehicle system receive trip data for an upcoming trip at an off-board device. Using the off-board device, the trip data is communicated to the different back-office systems, and one or more of mandatory directives or software configuration requirements are received at the off-board device from the different back-office systems. An initialization data set that includes at least some of the trip data and at least some of the one or more of the mandatory directives or the software configuration requirements is communicated from the off-board device to an onboard controller of the vehicle system. The initialization data set is configured to be used by the onboard controller to control movement of the vehicle system in the different sets of the routes.

Abstract: A system that may include a first route circuit that may be configured to be coupled with a first route section and may be configured to generate a first location coded signal that is unique to the first route section responsive to a vehicle being located on or within the first route section. A second route circuit may be configured to be coupled with a second route section and configured to generate a second location coded signal that is unique to the second route section and that is different from the first location coded signal, the second route circuit configured to generate the second location coded signal responsive to the vehicle being located on or within the second route section. A controller may be configured to receive the first location coded signal and the second location coded signal and determine a location of the vehicle based on the first location coded signal or the second location coded signal.

Abstract: A vehicle control system receives signals from sensors on board a first vehicle and plural other, second vehicles. Based on the signals received from the sensors, the system determines a brake assessment of a brake system, where the brake assessment includes a state of health of the brake system and/or a location of interest of a leak in the brake system. The system controls movement of the first vehicle and the second vehicles relative to at least one remote vehicle system based at least in part on the brake assessment that is determined.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for determining ancillary subdivision/districts may include obtaining track data associated with one or more railroads operating one or more subdivisions/districts over which the train may travel, determining an ancillary subdivision/district of the one or more subdivisions/districts that are not included in the track data by any of the one or more railroads, receiving track data for the railroad associated with the ancillary subdivision/district, and communicating with one or more wayside interface units in the ancillary subdivision/district based on the track data.

Abstract: A system with a base may be mounted on a vehicle, and a carriage assembly that may be movably connected to the base and may move with respect to the base. The carriage assembly may include a motor including a motor output shaft and motor housing, and a driving mechanism may couple to a door and to the motor output shaft or the motor housing. The carriage assembly may also include a coordination bar may be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing may rotate the coordination bar responsive to operation of the motor. At least one linkage assembly may extend or retract to move the carriage assembly to move the door between an open position and a closed position based on rotation of the coordination bar.

Abstract: A threshold assembly for a vehicle door includes an external sliding threshold configured to be coupled with an exterior surface of a vehicle having a doorway. The external sliding threshold is configured to extend over the doorway to provide a threshold surface on which one or more passengers enter the vehicle via the doorway or exit the vehicle via the doorway. The external sliding threshold laterally projects from the exterior surface of the vehicle to reduce or eliminate a spatial gap between the vehicle and a platform from which the one or more passengers enter the vehicle or onto which the one or more passengers exit the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to track working hours of one or more crew members of a vehicle system as the vehicle system travels. The one or more processors are configured to control the vehicle system to one or more of stop movement of the vehicle system, slow movement of the vehicle system, prevent movement of the vehicle system from a stationary position, or control movement of the vehicle system to an alternative location, responsive to one or more of (i) determining that the working hours of the one or more crew members exceed a prescribed service limit, (ii) determining that the working hours are projected to exceed the prescribed service limit before the vehicle system reaches a designated location, or (iii) determining that the working hours are within a designated time window before the prescribed service limit.

Abstract: System and method configured to determine a direction of movement of a vehicle in response to a brake being released or in response to initiating movement of the vehicle from a stopped position along a route. The direction of movement is determined based on a selected travel direction of the vehicle, a grade of the route, and at least one of applied tractive efforts or applied braking efforts.

Abstract: A braking system conducts an electronic command signal via a cable extending through multiple first vehicles in a first segment of a multi-vehicle system. The electronic command signal directs engagement or release of an air brake coupled to a brake pipe that extends along a length of the multi-vehicle system. A pneumatic command signal is communicated via the brake pipe to one or more second vehicles in a second segment of the multi-vehicle system. The pneumatic command signal directs one or more of the engagement or the release of the air brake coupled to the brake pipe in the one or more second vehicles.

Abstract: Method and system may be configured to determine a stationary time period during which a vehicle has remained stationary. The method and system may be further configured to enable a parked function of the vehicle in response to determining that the stationary time period exceeds a designated threshold. While the parked function is enabled, the vehicle applies a braking effort to the vehicle in response to detecting movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-aligning locking device for a vehicle sliding door assembly includes a sliding door threshold configured to be mounted on a door panel. The threshold is configured to slide along a sliding axis. The threshold includes a latch and a tongue at a car body-engaging end of the latch. The locking device also includes a groove block and a hook plate both configured to be coupled to the car body. Optionally, the locking device can include a switch sensor. The tongue of the threshold is configured to engage the groove to maintain alignment of the hook plate to mate with the latch to lock the threshold to the car body. The optional switch sensor can be configured to generate a signal indicating a locked state of the hook with the latch responsive to actuation of the switch sensor by the latch.

Abstract: A method of communication between first and second controllers positioned in spaced relation along a length of a vehicle system includes establishing first and second wireless, parallel communication channels between the first and second controllers. The channels operate at different carrier frequencies. The first controller transmits common information in parallel on the first and second wireless communication channels to the second controller, and the second controller receives the information transmitted in parallel on first and second wireless communication channels. The first and second wireless communication channels are then deactivated Subsequently, a single communication channel is established for communicating other, different information between the controllers.

Abstract: A communication assembly includes a housing, a communication device, an extendable mast, and a control circuit. The housing is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The communication device includes an antenna and is disposed at least partially within the housing. The extendable mast is mechanically coupled to the housing and supports the antenna. The control circuit is operably coupled to the mast and is configured to generate a signal to raise the mast from a first position of a distal end of the mast to a second position of the distal end in response to determining occurrence of a designated raise event. The antenna extends a greater distance from the housing in the second position of the mast than in the first position.

Abstract: A control system and a related method includes determining an access state of a vehicle and communicating a locking command message from an off-board control system to remotely change the access state of the vehicle between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, an operator is unable to one or more of access a location of the vehicle, access an area internal to the vehicle, change a power setting of a component of the vehicle, or engage a propulsion system of the vehicle. The operator onboard the vehicle may be prohibited from changing the access state from the locked state to the unlocked state without assistance from the off-board control system, but the operator may be allowed to change the access state from the unlocked state to the locked state without assistance from the off-board control system.

Abstract: A leak control device includes a reservoir fluidly coupled with a brake pipe of a vehicle brake system. The leak control device also includes a conduit fluidly coupled with the reservoir and having an orifice that directs fluid out of the reservoir at a leak rate. The leak control device includes a valve fluidly coupled with and disposed between the reservoir and the conduit. The valve may open and direct the fluid out of the reservoir and out of the vehicle brake system at the leak rate responsive to a pressure of the fluid in the brake pipe being no less than a pressure of the fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A braking system and method control application of brakes disposed onboard vehicles using brake control devices. The vehicles are in a multi-vehicle system and are associated with different segments of the vehicle system. Brake commands are sent to the brake control devices. These commands direct the brake control devices of the vehicles to concurrently engage the brakes onboard the vehicles to different brake levels based on which of the segments that the vehicles are associated.

Abstract: A system and method include a control unit configured to detect a presence of a vehicle within a route area based on sensor signals output by an observer device that monitors the route area. The control unit is configured to determine a distance of the vehicle from the observer device and to determine a vehicle location of the vehicle based on the distance and a predetermined location of the observer device. The system and method include a communication device configured to communicate the vehicle location to at least one of the vehicle or a remote control device that is off-board the vehicle prior to the vehicle starting to move along a route occupied by the vehicle.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a first assembly component; a second assembly component that is movable with respect to the first assembly component; and a device for determining a status of the brake assembly. The device includes a sensor trigger disposed on the second assembly component; a sensor disposed on the first assembly component, the sensor being configured to detect a proximity of the sensor trigger with respect to the sensor; and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to determine the status of the brake assembly based on the detected proximity of the sensor trigger with respect to the sensor.

Abstract: A switch locking system and method of an authorized locomotive for safely traversing a switch in a railway including sending a lock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller associated with the switch; determining if a lock confirmation from the switch controller is received by the computer onboard the authorized locomotive; and safely traversing the switch upon receipt of the lock confirmation. The switch locking system and method may include sending an unlock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller after the train clears the switch.