Abstract: A control system includes a first vehicle controller configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle system moving along route segments and to receive a conditional movement authority that has a condition to be met before the first vehicle system can travel into a designated route segment of the route segments. The first vehicle controller is configured to communicate with a separate, second vehicle system to determine a state of the second vehicle system. The first vehicle controller is configured to determine whether the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority. The first vehicle controller also is configured to permit movement of the first vehicle system into the designated route segment responsive to determining that the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority.

Abstract: A control system includes a first vehicle controller configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle system moving along route segments and to receive a conditional movement authority that has a condition to be met before the first vehicle system can travel into a designated route segment of the route segments. The first vehicle controller is configured to communicate with a separate, second vehicle system to determine a state of the second vehicle system. The first vehicle controller is configured to determine whether the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority. The first vehicle controller also is configured to permit movement of the first vehicle system into the designated route segment responsive to determining that the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system to confirm visual signals and control train movement. The system for verifying whether a trackside signaling electrical component is energized comprises a sensor for providing trackside conditions to a remote train control system electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad interlocking adjacent to a trackside signaling electrical component, said sensor powered by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling railroad train movement over a layout of railroad track that is defined geographically using a linear network of geographic control objects which includes signals, switches and track blocks. Each signal has signal control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of signal condition, and the ability to initiate a change in signal condition. Each switch has switch control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of switch condition, and the ability to initiate a change in switch condition. Each track block has hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address and a representation of track block occupancy condition. The method is specifically directed to establishing communication between each signal logic, switch logic, and track logic, and only its next adjacent logic neighbors regardless of whether it be signal logic, switch logic, or track logic.