Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a plurality of fuel cells. The method includes coordinating a distribution of a power demand in response to a power request of a power system comprising a plurality of fuel cells, the power output of each of the fuel cells selected based on a respective efficiency of each of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A system and method generate a trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system along a route. The usage of an engine or fuel cell during the trip is determined based on engine operational parameters, energy storage device operational parameters, and one or more objectives of the trip desired to be achieved. The usage of the energy storage device during the trip is also determined based on the engine operational parameters, the energy storage device operational parameters, and the one or more objective, including when to charge or discharge the energy storage device during the trip.

Abstract: A system and method includes a first control system having one or more processors onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system that includes the lead vehicle and a remote vehicle. The second control system automatically restricts movement of the vehicle system based on a location of the vehicle system. The processors detect a signal instance of an operator actuating an input device, and communicate a vehicle information request message to the second control system. The second control system communicates a list of vehicle identifiers, that includes a vehicle identifier associated with the remote vehicle, to the processors. The processors communicate a wireless linking message, including a request to establish a communication link, to the remote vehicle based on the vehicle identifier associated with the remote vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors, a communication device, and a positive train control (PTC) system. The one or more processors and communication device are onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system that includes the lead vehicle and a first remote vehicle. The PTC system is configured to restrict movement of the vehicle system based on a location of the vehicle system. The PTC system communicates a list of vehicle identifiers to the one or more processors. The communication device communicates a wireless linking message, which includes a vehicle identifier associated with the first remote vehicle, to the first remote vehicle. The communication device establishes a communication link between the lead vehicle and the first remote vehicle responsive to receipt of the wireless linking message at the first remote vehicle. The one or more processors remotely control movement of the first remote vehicle via the communication link.

Abstract: A control system includes a controller that may determine whether a second speed limit, which is less than or equal to a first speed limit, is in effect for a segment of the route. The controller may switch one or more operational settings of a vehicle from the first speed limit to the second speed limit, and may operate the vehicle at the first speed limit outside of the segment of the route and operate the vehicle at or below the second speed limit while the vehicle is approaching or within the segment of the route.

Abstract: A control system dictates operational settings of a rail vehicle system based a transitory second speed limit that is no faster than a current first speed limit and which is issued for a determined segment of the track for a determined time period. The control system obtains a current time, determines whether the transitory second speed limit has started, is in effect, or has expired based on the current time relative to the determined time period, and, in response to such determination, performs one or more of (a) generate a prompt to indicate that the determined time period has expired, (b) operate the rail vehicle system at the first speed limit, and/or (c) modify the operational settings of the rail vehicle system to exceed the second speed limit in the determined segment but not exceed the first speed limit for the determined segment.

Abstract: A controller in a vehicle consist is configured to receive data of measured brake system characteristics of a first vehicle of the consist and one or more remote vehicles of the consist. The controller is configured to communicate with the remote vehicles for coordinated travel along a route based on the received data. The controller is configured to switch from communicating with the remote vehicles, and receiving the brake system data from the remote vehicles, over a first wireless channel to a second wireless channel responsive to when the first wireless channel becomes unavailable.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors, a communication device, and a positive train control (PTC) system. The one or more processors and communication device are onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system that includes the lead vehicle and a first remote vehicle. The PTC system is configured to restrict movement of the vehicle system based on a location of the vehicle system. The PTC system communicates a list of vehicle identifiers to the one or more processors. The communication device communicates a wireless linking message, which includes a vehicle identifier associated with the first remote vehicle, to the first remote vehicle. The communication device establishes a communication link between the lead vehicle and the first remote vehicle responsive to receipt of the wireless linking message at the first remote vehicle. The one or more processors remotely control movement of the first remote vehicle via the communication link.

Abstract: A control system dictates operational settings of a rail vehicle system based a transitory second speed limit that is no faster than a current first speed limit and which is issued for a determined segment of the track for a determined time period. The control system obtains a current time, determines whether the transitory second speed limit has started, is in effect, or has expired based on the current time relative to the determined time period, and, in response to such determination, performs one or more of (a) generate a prompt to indicate that the determined time period has expired, (b) operate the rail vehicle system at the first speed limit, and/or (c) modify the operational settings of the rail vehicle system to exceed the second speed limit in the determined segment but not exceed the first speed limit for the determined segment.

Abstract: A method includes generating a trip plan that dictates operational settings to be implemented by a vehicle system moving along a route. The trip plan is based on a temporary work order issued for a restricted segment of the route. The work order provides a maximum speed through the restricted segment for a limited time period that is expressed using a time standard. One or more of the operational settings of the trip plan specify movement of the vehicle system through the restricted segment at a vehicle speed that is less than or equal to the maximum speed. In response to determining that the temporary work order has expired, the method includes at least one of prompting an operator of the vehicle system to confirm that the work order has expired or generating a new trip plan in which the vehicle system exceeds the maximum speed through the restricted segment.

Abstract: A controller in a vehicle consist is configured to receive data of measured brake system characteristics of a first vehicle of the consist and one or more remote vehicles of the consist. The controller is configured to communicate with the remote vehicles for coordinated travel along a route based on the received data. The controller is configured to switch from communicating with the remote vehicles, and receiving the brake system data from the remote vehicles, over a first wireless channel to a second wireless channel responsive to when the first wireless channel becomes unavailable.

Abstract: A communication system in a vehicle consist includes a router that is configured to monitor an operational status of a plurality of network channels across a plurality of vehicles in the consist, and to route messages through one or more of the network channels in dependence upon the monitored operational status of the network channels.

Abstract: A method includes generating a trip plan that dictates operational settings to be implemented by a vehicle system moving along a route. The trip plan is based on a temporary work order issued for a restricted segment of the route. The work order provides a maximum speed through the restricted segment for a limited time period that is expressed using a time standard. One or more of the operational settings of the trip plan specify movement of the vehicle system through the restricted segment at a vehicle speed that is less than or equal to the maximum speed. In response to determining that the temporary work order has expired, the method includes at least one of prompting an operator of the vehicle system to confirm that the work order has expired or generating a new trip plan in which the vehicle system exceeds the maximum speed through the restricted segment.

Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a trip plan for a vehicle system determine a first trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system from a first location to a second location over a first route that includes a first intersection with a second route. The first trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. An alternate trip plan that extends along the second route from the first intersection to the second location of the trip of the vehicle system also is determined. The first and alternate trip plans are determined prior to the vehicle system reaching the first intersection. Movement of the vehicle system is controlled according to the first trip plan prior to the vehicle system reaching the first intersection and then controlled according to the alternate trip plan responsive to the vehicle system deviating from the first trip plan.

Abstract: A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle.

Abstract: A data communication system is configured to obtain operational data associated with a control system of a vehicle consist. The operational data is obtained at a first vehicle of the consist. The operational data is communicated from the first vehicle to one or more second vehicles in the consist. Responsive to a loss of the operational data at the first vehicle, at least the operational data that was lost at the first vehicle can be communicated from one or more of the second vehicles to the first vehicle. Onboard the first vehicle, an operational capability of the consist to perform a movement event can be determined using the operational data that was lost at the first vehicle and that was communicated from the at least one of the one or more second vehicles to the first vehicle.

Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A communication system in a vehicle consist includes a router that is configured to monitor an operational status of a plurality of network channels across a plurality of vehicles in the consist, and to route messages through one or more of the network channels in dependence upon the monitored operational status of the network channels.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an alarm state from one or more inspection systems that inspects one or more components of a vehicle system. The method then identifies operational parameters of the vehicle system. The operational parameters represent at least one of a current location of the vehicle system, a current terrain over which the vehicle system is currently travelling, an upcoming terrain that the vehicle system is travelling toward, a current moving speed of the vehicle system, a position of one or more controls of the vehicle system, a state of a brake of the vehicle system or an identification of one or more vehicle units in the vehicle system. The method then selects and implements a mitigating action to implement from plural different mitigating actions based on the alarm state and the one or more parameters of the vehicle.