Abstract: A system may include a sensor that detects positioning data indicative of a position of a first coupler of a first vehicle system and positioning data indicative of a position of a second coupler of a second vehicle system during a coupling event of the vehicle systems. A controller includes one or more processors that receive the positioning data of the first and second couplers and determines whether the first coupler is misaligned with the second coupler. The controller may initiate an action of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system to change a position of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system. Changing the position of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system aligns the first coupler with the second coupler.

Abstract: Described are a device, system, and method for monitoring a distance between a first rail car and a second rail car during coupling. The device includes a fastener configured to affix the device to the first rail car and a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car in a direction away from an end of the first rail car and toward an end of the second rail car. The device also includes a power source and a data connector to communicatively connect the device to a remote processor. The device further includes a local processor programmed or configured to repeatedly receive distance data from the distance sensor of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car and communicate the distance data to the remote processor.