Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a vehicle control (VC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from vehicle systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the VC system and/or an on-board system of a vehicle. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a vehicle control (VC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to communicatively link a first operator control unit (OCU) disposed off-board a vehicle system with a vehicle control system (VCS) disposed onboard the vehicle system. The vehicle system is formed from first and second vehicles. The VCS is configured to remotely control movement of the second vehicle from the first vehicle, wherein the one or more processors configured to receive a control signal communicated from the first OCU to a communication device that is onboard the first vehicle. The control signal dictates a change in movement operational setting of the second vehicle. The one or more processors configured to direct the communication device to communicate the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the VCS, wherein movement of the second vehicle is automatically changed responsive to communicating the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting an enforceable instruction in a vehicle control system may include receiving a checksum contained in at least one enforceable instruction. Methods for checksum challenge mitigation in a vehicle control system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided that include at least one positioning system that can detect a location or position of a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle group that includes the vehicle, at least one sensor positioned on or associated with the vehicle that can generate sensor data of a determined parameter or condition, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the positioning system. The controller can determine that a hazard event has occurred based at least partially on sensor data, and can communicate a hazard event notification based at least in part on the location data and the sensor data to a remote server.

Abstract: A system is provided that include at least one positioning system that can detect a location or position of a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle group that includes the vehicle, at least one sensor positioned on or associated with the vehicle that can generate sensor data of a determined parameter or condition, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the positioning system. The controller can determine that a hazard event has occurred based at least partially on sensor data, and can communicate a hazard event notification based at least in part on the location data and the sensor data to a remote server.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a vehicle control (VC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from vehicle systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the VC system and/or an on-board system of a vehicle. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a vehicle control (VC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a vehicle control (VC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from vehicle systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the VC system and/or an on-board system of a vehicle. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a vehicle control (VC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided that include at least one positioning system that can detect a location or position of a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle group that includes the vehicle, at least one sensor positioned on or associated with the vehicle that can generate sensor data of a determined parameter or condition, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the positioning system. The controller can determine that a hazard event has occurred based at least partially on sensor data, and can communicate a hazard event notification based at least in part on the location data and the sensor data to a remote server.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a positive train control (PTC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from railroad systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the PTC system and/or an on-board system of a locomotive. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a positive train control (PTC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a train are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a positive train control (PTC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from railroad systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the PTC system and/or an on-board system of a locomotive. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a positive train control (PTC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a train are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for generating vital messages on an on-board system of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of vital messages with each processor of a plurality of different processors of the on-board system based on train data available to each processor, transmitting the plurality of vital messages from the plurality of different processors to a separate processor, and generating, by the separate processor, a final vital message based on at least two vital messages of the plurality of vital messages. A system and an apparatus for implementing the aforementioned method includes appropriately communicatively connected hardware components.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for generating vital messages on an on-board system of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of vital messages with each processor of a plurality of different processors of the on-board system based on train data available to each processor, transmitting the plurality of vital messages from the plurality of different processors to a separate processor, and generating, by the separate processor, a final vital message based on at least two vital messages of the plurality of vital messages. A system and an apparatus for implementing the aforementioned method includes appropriately communicatively connected hardware components.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a positive train control (PTC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from railroad systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the PTC system and/or an on-board system of a locomotive. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a positive train control (PTC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a train are also disclosed.

Abstract: A braking system, including a brake control arrangement in operational communication with a braking arrangement for braking a vehicle, and a penalty power source to deliver current or power to the brake control arrangement through a brake interface circuit. The brake interface circuit includes a main positive current switch urged to a closed position and configured to open upon loss or interruption of a penalty hold-off signal, and a main negative current switch urged to a closed position and configured to open upon loss or interruption of a penalty hold-off signal. Upon opening of either of the main positive current switch or the main negative current switch, the braking arrangement will automatically brake the vehicle as controlled by the brake control arrangement.

Abstract: A braking system, including a brake control arrangement in operational communication with a braking arrangement for braking a vehicle, and a penalty power source to deliver current or power to the brake control arrangement through a brake interface circuit. The brake interface circuit includes a main positive current switch urged to a closed position and configured to open upon loss or interruption of a penalty hold-off signal, and a main negative current switch urged to a closed position and configured to open upon loss or interruption of a penalty hold-off signal. Upon opening of either of the main positive current switch or the main negative current switch, the braking arrangement will automatically brake the vehicle as controlled by the brake control arrangement.

Abstract: A brake interface module for an electronic air brake (EAB) or a magnet valve that incorporates positive train control digital commands with additional fail-safe, discrete train control spare inputs into a single, fail safe output via redundant power supplies. The brake interface module comprises a positive train control circuitry including a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller operatively coupled to each other. The brake interface module also includes spare discrete inputs that utilize fail-safe principles and are continuously monitored by the second microcontroller to achieve fail-safe performance. Each power supply contains redundant, independent means of shutting down to facilitate self test.

Abstract: A brake interface module for an electronic air brake (EAB) or a magnet valve that incorporates positive train control digital commands with additional fail-safe, discrete train control spare inputs into a single, fail safe output via redundant power supplies. The brake interface module comprises a positive train control circuitry including a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller operatively coupled to each other. The brake interface module also includes spare discrete inputs that utilize fail-safe principles and are continuously monitored by the second microcontroller to achieve fail-safe performance. Each power supply contains redundant, independent means of shutting down to facilitate self test.

Abstract: A brake interface module for an electronic air brake (EAB) or a magnet valve that incorporates positive train control digital commands with additional fail-safe, discrete train control spare inputs into a single, fail safe output via redundant power supplies. The brake interface module comprises a positive train control circuitry including a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller operatively coupled to each other. The brake interface module also includes spare discrete inputs that utilize fail-safe principles and are continuously monitored by the second microcontroller to achieve fail-safe performance. Each power supply contains redundant, independent means of shutting down to facilitate self test.