Abstract: A system that includes a controller that may receive one or more input characteristics related to upcoming movement of a group of vehicles, the one or more input characteristics indicative of an amount of energy needed to move the group of the vehicles along a segment of a route. The controller may also calculate a threshold range of tractive effort needed to move the group of the vehicles along the segment of the route based on the one or more characteristics and to monitor the tractive effort expended by a propulsion-generating vehicle of the vehicles in the group to move one or more of the vehicles in the group, and determine whether the vehicles in the group are coupled with each other or whether two or more of the vehicles are not coupled with each other based on the tractive effort that is monitored and the threshold range.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method obtain a thermal signature for one or more first components of a powered system. The thermal signature represents thermal measurements obtained at different locations of the powered system. The system and method identify an abnormal operating condition of the one or more first components of the powered system or one or more second components of the powered system based on the thermal signature.

Abstract: In one example, a wayside device monitoring system is provided. The system may include a wayside device and a controller. The wayside device may detect one or more operating parameters of a vehicle in a vehicle system moving over a route segment. The controller can receive information from the wayside device regarding at least the one or more operating parameters detected, and can control movement the vehicle directly or indirectly based at least in part on the received information.