Abstract: A system and method for a secure key exchange between two trains operating within a track network may include generating a first or second public key based on a secret random number, generating a shared secret key based on the first or second public key, authenticating one or more key exchange communications by a remote server based on a digital signature established with an on-board key associated with the first train, authenticating a communication by a remote server based on the digital signature of the second train signed with an on-board key associated with the second train, and establishing secure train-to-train communication between the two trains by generating a shared secret key based on a public key received from the other train, the secure key exchange protecting the two trains from a man-in-the-middle attack.

Abstract: A system is provided that include at least one positioning system that can detect a location or position of a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle group that includes the vehicle, at least one sensor positioned on or associated with the vehicle that can generate sensor data of a determined parameter or condition, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the positioning system. The controller can determine that a hazard event has occurred based at least partially on sensor data, and can communicate a hazard event notification based at least in part on the location data and the sensor data to a remote server.

Abstract: The manual release mechanism described herein enables a passenger to attempt to manually open the door but delays opening until the vehicle is no longer moving. A motion transfer device moves to an unlocking position of the door lock only when the manual release mechanism is activated to release store energy in a mechanical energy storage device and an electromechanical device is de-energized to release the motion transfer device.

Abstract: A vehicle management system communicates with monitor devices coupled with a path control device at an intersection between route segments. The path control device switches positions to connect different combinations of the route segments. The system receives signals from the monitor devices to determine which of the route segments are coupled with each other and receives an authority signal from a travel authority system that indicates which of the route segments that the vehicle is authorized to travel. The system directs the vehicle through the path control device responsive to a combination of: (a) receipt of the authority signal and (b) receipt of at least one of the monitor signals or failure to receive one or more of the monitor signals.

Abstract: A powered gap mitigation device for transit vehicles allows a gap mitigation plate to move outboard from its stowed position, be locked in the deployed position, move inboard from a deployed position to a stowed position, be locked in the stowed position, and be manually stowed and cut-out in case of malfunction.

Abstract: A distributor valve for a brake control system of a vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.

Abstract: A method and a communication system includes establishing a communication link between a first vehicle and an off-board database. The first vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively linked via a first communication system. A message from a second vehicle may be received via the off-board database. The second vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively coupled via a second communication system. A response may be communicated from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the off-board database.

Abstract: A method of communication between first and second controllers positioned in spaced relation along a length of a train includes forming between the first and second controllers, first and second wireless communication channels operating at different carrier frequencies and causing the first and second wireless communication channels to be in communication in parallel, whereupon the first and second controllers are in communication via both the first and second wireless communication channels. The first controller then causes information to be transmitted 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 caused to be inactive, whereupon the first and second controllers are out of communication.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a rail vehicle based on an radio frequency (RF) signal that includes at least one processor programmed or configured to determine that a first RF communication signal transmitted by a head of train (HOT) unit of a plurality of rail vehicles is received by an end of train (EOT) unit of the plurality of rail vehicles, determine whether a second RF communication signal transmitted by the HOT unit is received by the EOT unit during a time interval after a time at which the first RF communication signal was determined to be received by the EOT unit, and determine one or more locations of the plurality of rail vehicles based on determining that the second RF communication signal transmitted by the HOT unit is not received by the EOT unit during the time interval. A method and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a system connector having a system housing and a system bracket coupled with the system housing. The system bracket includes plural system power contact receptors that receive plural system power contacts. The plural system power contacts are separate from each other by one or more extensions coupled with the system bracket. A module connector is coupled with the system connector. The module connector includes a module housing and a module bracket coupled with the module housing. The module bracket includes plural module power contact receptors that receive plural module power contacts. Each of the plural module power contacts are separated from each other by one or more extensions coupled with the module bracket. Each of the plural system power contacts of the system bracket are configured to mate with one of the plural module power contacts of the module bracket as plural power contact assemblies.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to track working hours of one or more members of a crew that operates a vehicle system. The working hours accumulate as the vehicle system travels on a route. The one or more processors are configured to direct a display device to present a notification message that indicates an amount of time remaining until the working hours reach a prescribed service limit for a designated time interval. The one or more processors are configured to automatically control the vehicle system to one or more of stop movement of the vehicle system, slow movement of the vehicle system, or prevent movement of the vehicle system from a stationary position responsive to determining that the working hours of the one or more members of the crew exceed the prescribed service limit.

Abstract: A brake cylinder for a railway vehicle includes a body, a piston assembly including a piston member and a rod having a threaded surface, and a parking brake locking mechanism including a working nut, a locking gear, and a locking pawl, with the working nut having a threaded surface engaged with the threaded surface of the rod. The piston member has a first position and a second position in a direction extending from the second end of the body toward the first end of the body. The working nut is fixed relative to the locking gear. The locking pawl has an unlocked position spaced from the locking gear and a locked position engaged with the locking gear. The piston is restricted from moving from the second position to the first position when the locking pawl is in the locked position.

Abstract: A control system may be provided that may include one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive obstruction information related to a defined area from at least one optical sensor, determine an obstruction is in the defined area based on the obstruction information in response to actuation of a first safety device that is configured to prevent the obstruction from entering the defined area, and communicate an actuation signal to a second safety device to control movement of the second safety device based on the obstruction determined to be in the defined area.

Abstract: A braking control system for a vehicle system includes a control chamber configured to control air pressure of a brake pipe of the vehicle system. The system also includes first and second charge valves and first and second vent valves. The first charge valve and the first vent valve are controllable to vent or charge the brake pipe, and the second charge valve and the second vent valve are separately controllable for the same purpose. The system also includes a controller configured to switch operation of the vehicle system between a first operation mode, where the first charge valve and the first vent valve are enabled, and a second operation mode, where the second charge valve and the second vent valve are enabled, in response to an input.

Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a UIC-type distributor valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a UIC-type distributor valve of a brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system further including an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a rbrake system.

Abstract: A train navigation system and method are provided for safely navigating a track loop in a railway, by determining a head end location of a train navigating a track block in a plurality of track blocks associated with a track loop in the railway; determining a train route from the head end location of the train including a forward path and a rearward path, the train route based on a position of a switch in the plurality of track blocks associated with the track loop in the railway; the system and method for dynamically generating an updated train route as the train traverses the railway based on a continuously updated head end location as the train traverses the railway relative to the position of the switch; and safely traversing the track loop in the railway based upon the updated train route.

Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a W-type triple valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a vehicle brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a W-type triple valve of a vehicle brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system also includes an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode here the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of vehicle brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a vehicle brake system.

Abstract: In a method of determining a length of a train, a first camera at the head of the train acquires a first image of a first object on or proximate a path of the train and a second camera at the end of the train acquires a second image of a second object on or proximate the path of the train. A controller determines a length of the train based on a first geographical location associated with the first object in the first image and a second geographical location associated with second object in the second image. The first and second geographical locations of the first and second objects can be determined from corresponding prerecorded images of the objects that are geotagged with the geographical locations of the objects.

Abstract: A train-to-train warning system and method for communicating an information notification, may include receiving or sensing, by a head of train computer of a listener train, an information notification originating from an end of train device associated with a first train in a geographic area, identifying the first train based on at least one of the position of the first train or the identifier associated with the first train, determining, one or more events or conditions of the first train in the track network based on the information notification, generating an updated operation of the listener train including one or more actions, the updated operation based on the one or more events or conditions associated with the first train, and controlling a movement of the listener train based on at least one of the one or more actions.

Abstract: A door operator system for moving a door of a vehicle between open and closed positions includes a track defined in a base, the track having a curved portion at an end thereof; a drive bracket configured to suspend the door from the base, the drive bracket being slidably movable along the track between an open position and a closed position adjacent to the curved portion; a drive mechanism configured to cause movement of the drive bracket between the open and closed positions; and a locking system configured to retain the drive bracket in the closed position. When the drive bracket is in the closed position, the curved portion engages a cam follower of the locking system to retain the cam follower in a locked position that is over center with respect to a plane perpendicular to the track and a plane parallel to the track.