Abstract: A locomotive inspection system includes sensors that are selectively coupled to a locomotive during an inspection or maintenance event for the locomotive and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the locomotive that controls plural operations of the locomotive to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation. The controller determines whether the control system has first sensor information indicative of a state of the locomotive during the first operation. The controller sends a command signal to the control system to direct the control system to change locomotive operations from the first operation to the second operation responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information. The controller obtains second sensor information from the one or more sensors based on the second operation and determines a condition of components of the locomotive based on the first and second sensor information.

Abstract: A locomotive engine control system includes one or more processors operably connected to fuel supply devices. The fuel supply devices are configured to supply fuel into different corresponding cylinders of an engine. The one or more processors are configured to monitor a fuel quantity injected into the cylinders of the engine before and after communication of an overfuel control signal. The overfuel control signal commands the fuel supply device corresponding to a first cylinder of the cylinders to supply excess fuel into the first cylinder. Responsive to the fuel quantity that is monitored not decreasing after the communication of the overfuel control signal, the one or more processors are configured to determine that the fuel supply device corresponding to the first cylinder is defective, and may generate one or more control signals indicative of the fuel supply device corresponding to the first cylinder being defective.

Abstract: An inspection system includes sensors that are selectively coupled to a vehicle during an inspection or maintenance event for the vehicle and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the vehicle that controls plural operations of the vehicle to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation. The controller determines whether the control system has first sensor information indicative of a state of the vehicle during the first operation. The controller sends a command signal to the control system to direct the control system to change vehicle operations from the first operation to the second operation responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information. The controller obtains second sensor information from the one or more sensors based on the second operation and determines a condition of components of the vehicle based on the first and second sensor information.

Abstract: A locomotive engine control system includes one or more processors operably connected to fuel supply devices. The fuel supply devices are configured to supply fuel into different corresponding cylinders of an engine. The one or more processors are configured to monitor a fuel quantity injected into the cylinders of the engine before and after communication of an overfuel control signal. The overfuel control signal commands the fuel supply device corresponding to a first cylinder of the cylinders to supply excess fuel into the first cylinder. Responsive to the fuel quantity that is monitored not decreasing after the communication of the overfuel control signal, the one or more processors are configured to determine that the fuel supply device corresponding to the first cylinder is defective, and may generate one or more control signals indicative of the fuel supply device corresponding to the first cylinder being defective.

Abstract: An inspection system includes sensors that are selectively coupled to a vehicle during an inspection or maintenance event for the vehicle and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the vehicle that controls plural operations of the vehicle to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation. The controller determines whether the control system has first sensor information indicative of a state of the vehicle during the first operation. The controller sends a command signal to the control system to direct the control system to change vehicle operations from the first operation to the second operation responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information. The controller obtains second sensor information from the one or more sensors based on the second operation and determines a condition of components of the vehicle based on the first and second sensor information.

Abstract: A system includes a first controller, a data acquisition device, a friction modification unit, and a friction management controller. The first controller is configured to obtain an operational setting for a vehicle, and to output a first signal relating to the operational setting for controlling the vehicle. The data acquisition device is configured to obtain operational data of the vehicle as the vehicle travels, and to provide the operational data to the first controller. The first controller is configured to obtain a difference between the operational data and the operational setting, and to adjust the first signal based on the difference. The friction modification unit is configured to modify a friction characteristic of a surface of the route. The friction management controller is configured to direct the friction modification unit to modify the friction characteristic of the surface of the route based on the operational setting.

Abstract: A system includes a first controller, a data acquisition device, a friction modification unit, and a friction management controller. The first controller is configured to obtain an operational setting for a vehicle, and to output a first signal relating to the operational setting for controlling the vehicle. The data acquisition device is configured to obtain operational data of the vehicle as the vehicle travels, and to provide the operational data to the first controller. The first controller is configured to obtain a difference between the operational data and the operational setting, and to adjust the first signal based on the difference. The friction modification unit is configured to modify a friction characteristic of a surface of the route. The friction management controller is configured to direct the friction modification unit to modify the friction characteristic of the surface of the route based on the operational setting.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity.

Abstract: A multi-level system for management of a railway system and its operational components in which the railway system has a first level configured to optimize an operation within the first level that includes first level operational parameters which define operational characteristics and data of the first level, and a second level configured to optimize an operation within the second level that includes second level operational parameters which define the operational characteristic and data of the second level. The first level provides the second level with the first level operational parameters, and the second level provides the first level with the second level operational parameters, such that optimizing the operation within the first level and optimizing the operation within the second level are each a function of optimizing a system optimization parameter. The levels can include a railroad infrastructure level, a track network level, a train level, a consist level and a locomotive level.

Abstract: Systems are provided for efficiently managing the effects of a change to a transportation system's state. One example system comprises a plurality of distributed data input and data output terminals, the distributed data input terminal configured to automatically generate data related to a first aspect of transportation system operation, at least one of a distributed database and a synchronized database configured to store data, a plurality of distributed computational engines configured to receive data from at least one database, and based on the data received, automatically manage operations of a second, different aspect of the transportation system operations, and a communications network linking the data input terminals, the data output terminals, the databases, and the computational engines, wherein the change to the transportation system's state is initiated by the data generated at the distributed input terminals.

Abstract: A method of communicating data signals includes receiving data from one or more data sources disposed on board a rail vehicle and allocating different portions of a data communication bandwidth to data signals that include the data based on categories of the data. The categories represent at least one of the one or more data sources that provided the data or contents of the data. The data communication bandwidth includes a bandwidth that is available on a communication pathway of the rail vehicle. The method also includes transmitting the data signals through the communication pathway using the portions of the bandwidth that are assigned to the data signals.

Abstract: A communication system includes an electronic component located at a wayside device positioned along a route of a rail vehicle and a router transceiver unit operably coupled to the electronic component. The router transceiver unit is conductively coupled to a power supply conductor that supplies electric current to power at least one of the electronic component of the wayside device or an electronic apparatus other than the electronic component. The router transceiver unit is configured to communicate network data with a remote location through the power supply conductor.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity.

Abstract: Computerized method and system for identification and evaluation of a repair likely to prevent a failure of a mobile asset is provided. The method allows collecting data indicative of an incipient malfunction in the mobile asset (e.g., 1006). The method further allows collecting usage data indicative of usage of the mobile asset (e.g., 1002). The usage data is processed relative to historical data collected from a fleet of corresponding mobile assets to generate a usage profile for that asset (e.g., 1004). The data indicative of incipient malfunctions is processed to generate a prediction of a failure in the mobile asset and at least one repair likely to prevent the failure of the mobile asset (e.g., 1010). A repair weight indicative of a probability that the repair will prevent the predicted failure is determined (e.g., 466). The repair weight is adjusted based on the usage profile of the asset (e.g.

Abstract: Systems are provided for efficiently managing the effects of a change to a transportation system's state. One example system comprises a plurality of distributed data input and data output terminals, the distributed data input terminal configured to automatically generate data related to a first aspect of transportation system operation, at least one of a distributed database and a synchronized database configured to store data, a plurality of distributed computational engines configured to receive data from at least one database, and based on the data received, automatically manage operations of a second, different aspect of the transportation system operations, and a communications network linking the data input terminals, the data output terminals, the databases, and the computational engines, wherein the change to the transportation system's state is initiated by the data generated at the distributed input terminals.

Abstract: In a railway network a method for linking at least one of train parameters, fuel efficiency emission efficiency, and load with network knowledge so that adjustments for network efficiency may be made as time progresses while a train is performing a mission. The method includes dividing the train mission into multiple sections with common intersection points, and calculating train operating parameters based on other trains in a railway network to determine optimized parameters over a certain section. The method further includes comparing optimized parameters to current operating parameters, and altering current operating parameters of the train to coincide with optimized parameters for at least one of the current track section and a pending track section.