Abstract: A mission planner system for a powered system, the mission planner system including a receiving device to collect aspect information as the powered system performs a mission, said aspect information being received from a remote location, a processor to determine a speed limit based at least in part on the aspect information, and a control system connected to the powered system to operate the powered system in response to the speed limit. A method and a computer software code for determining the mission plan with aspect information obtained from a remote location during the mission are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a locomotive is provided. The method includes coupling a processor within the locomotive to monitor at least one of an operating parameter and an equipment operation. The method also includes determining a status of a locomotive pre-trip or departure test using the processor and operating an interlock based on the status of the pre-trip or departure test, wherein the interlock is configured to regulate an operating speed of the locomotive.

Abstract: A method for mapping a railroad track is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track and determining coordinates of each track segment. The method also includes storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments and linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating with a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of wayside control units controlling an area along a guideway to be traveled by the vehicle, the plurality of wayside control units including a database of fixed data defining an operational profile of the guideway in a local area of an associated wayside control unit. The method also includes monitoring dynamic data in the local area of the associated wayside control unit wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of guideway availability and signal status information and transmitting wirelessly an authority message including at least one of the fixed data and the dynamic data from the associated wayside unit to a receiver on board the vehicle, the authority message dynamic data being valid for a selectable one of a plurality of time periods.

Abstract: A method for mapping a railroad track is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track and determining coordinates of each track segment. The method also includes storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments and linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map.

Abstract: A mission planner system for a powered system, the mission planner system including a receiving device to collect aspect information as the powered system performs a mission, said aspect information being received from a remote location, a processor to determine a speed limit based at least in part on the aspect information, and a control system connected to the powered system to operate the powered system in response to the speed limit. A method and a computer software code for determining the mission plan with aspect information obtained from a remote location during the mission are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating with a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of wayside control units controlling an area along a guideway to be traveled by the vehicle, the plurality of wayside control units including a database of fixed data defining an operational profile of the guideway in a local area of an associated wayside control unit. The method also includes monitoring dynamic data in the local area of the associated wayside control unit wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of guideway availability and signal status information and transmitting wirelessly an authority message including at least one of the fixed data and the dynamic data from the associated wayside unit to a receiver on board the vehicle, the authority message dynamic data being valid for a selectable one of a plurality of time periods.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying the track assignment of a locomotive traveling along a track. The system includes at least one onboard receiver on the locomotive for wirelessly communicating with a plurality of satellites to provide a respective initial location of at least one onboard antenna on the locomotive. Additionally, the system includes at least one wayside receiver wirelessly coupled to the at least one onboard receiver. The at least one wayside receiver is positioned adjacent to the track to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of satellites to provide a respective corrected location of the respective initial location of the at least one onboard antenna to the at least one onboard receiver. A method and computer readable media are also provided for identifying the track assignment of a locomotive traveling along a track.

Abstract: A method for operating a locomotive is provided. The method includes coupling a processor within the locomotive to monitor at least one of an operating parameter and an equipment operation. The method also includes determining a status of a locomotive departure test using the processor and operating an interlock based on the status of the departure test, wherein the interlock is configured to regulate an operating speed of the locomotive.