Abstract: A remote initialization system and method for a vehicle system receive trip data for an upcoming trip at an off-board device. Using the off-board device, the trip data is communicated to the different back-office systems, and one or more of mandatory directives or software configuration requirements are received at the off-board device from the different back-office systems. An initialization data set that includes at least some of the trip data and at least some of the one or more of the mandatory directives or the software configuration requirements is communicated from the off-board device to an onboard controller of the vehicle system. The initialization data set is configured to be used by the onboard controller to control movement of the vehicle system in the different sets of the routes.

Abstract: A method is provided that can include activating at least two wireless communication channels in parallel, between a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. Each of the at least two wireless communication channels can operate at a different radio carrier frequency, and the first wireless transceiver may be part of a first vehicle. The method can also include transmitting, by the first wireless transceiver, common information in parallel on the at least two wireless communication channels to the second wireless transceiver and deactivating the at least two wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided that includes obtaining a first secret and a first public key, and obtaining a second secret a second public key. The method may also include authenticating the first public key of the first vehicle based on a first private key associated with the first vehicle, and authenticating the second public key of the second vehicle based on a second private key associated with the second vehicle. The method may also include preventing a man-in-the-middle attack, by securing at least one of a first vehicle-to-central office communication, a central office-to-first vehicle communication, or a first vehicle-to-second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle-to-central office communication and the central office-to-first vehicle communication are authenticated based on a determined private key associated with a respective first vehicle on-board computer, and sending a message, with the central office server, to a vehicle associated with a conditional movement authority.

Abstract: A system and method include one or more processors and a communication device. The one or more processors are configured to receive sensor signals output by an observer device that monitors a route area. The one or more processors analyze the sensor signals to determine a distance of a vehicle within the route area from the observer device, and determine a vehicle location of the vehicle based on the distance and a predetermined location of the observer device. The communication device is configured to communicate the vehicle location to at least one of the vehicle or a remote control device that is off-board the vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method obtain a thermal signature for one or more first components of a powered system. The thermal signature represents thermal measurements obtained at different locations of the powered system. The system and method identify an abnormal operating condition of the one or more first components of the powered system or one or more second components of the powered system based on the thermal signature.

Abstract: An intersection management system and method for reducing or avoiding potential collisions between vehicles are provided. The system may use a wireless signal, with or without a circuit, to traverse an intersection. The system may use, at least in part, a positive vehicle control system.

Abstract: A system and method include a control unit configured to detect a presence of a vehicle within a route area based on sensor signals output by an observer device that monitors the route area. The control unit is configured to determine a distance of the vehicle from the observer device and to determine a vehicle location of the vehicle based on the distance and a predetermined location of the observer device. The system and method include a communication device configured to communicate the vehicle location to at least one of the vehicle or a remote control device that is off-board the vehicle prior to the vehicle starting to move along a route occupied by the vehicle.

Abstract: A switch locking system and method of an authorized locomotive for safely traversing a switch in a railway including sending a lock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller associated with the switch; determining if a lock confirmation from the switch controller is received by the computer onboard the authorized locomotive; and safely traversing the switch upon receipt of the lock confirmation. The switch locking system and method may include sending an unlock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller after the train clears the switch.

Abstract: A vehicle location and control system determines a signal-derived separation distance between antennas disposed onboard a vehicle based on signals received by the antennas from an off-board source. The system determines an input-derived separation distance between the antennas based on input offset distances of the antennas from a designated location on the vehicle, determines a difference between the input-derived separation distance and the signal-derived separation distance, and activates or deactivates an automated route identification system that determines which route of several different routes that the vehicle is disposed upon based on the difference that is determined.

Abstract: A system and method can include determining a location of a locating device disposed onboard a vehicle system, identify a size of the vehicle system, calculate a duration that the vehicle system has been blocking or will be blocking an intersection between at least two intersecting routes based at least in part on the location of the locating device and on the size of the multi-vehicle system, and implement one or more responsive actions to clear the intersection responsive to the calculation of the duration. Optionally, the system and method can predict or forecast whether a vehicle system approaching or moving through the intersection will come to a stop in a locking that blocks the intersection, and implement one or more responsive actions.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to assume control of a vehicle generated by a candidate operator via a first communication pathway. The method obtains a key from an onboard controller of the vehicle and communicates the key to the candidate operator via a second communication pathway that is different from the first communication pathway. The method determines the candidate operator to be a confirmed operator based at least in part on obtaining the key from the candidate operator via the first communication pathway.

Abstract: A vehicle control system receives a proximity signal at a sensor assembly from a vehicle system. The proximity signal indicates that the vehicle system is approaching a location of the sensor assembly. A sensor of the sensor assembly is activated responsive to receiving the proximity signal. One or more characteristics of the vehicle system are sensed as the vehicle system moves by the sensor assembly. A sensor signal that represents the one or more characteristics of the vehicle system is communicated to an onboard controller of the vehicle system and/or an off-board system to control operation of the vehicle system based on the one or more characteristics of the vehicle system.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for verifying electronic work zone instructions with an on-board system of a vehicle system. The method includes receiving at least one electronic work zone instruction message from an employee-in-charge device, generating at least one visual instruction diagram based at least partially on the electronic work zone instruction message, communicating the at least one visual instruction diagram from the on-board system of the vehicle system to the employee-in-charge device, receiving a verification of the at least one visual instruction diagram from the employee-in-charge device, and enforcing at least one work zone instruction parameter of the electronic work zone instruction message by the on-board system of the vehicle system in response to receiving the verification. A system and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to assume control of a vehicle generated by a candidate operator via a first communication pathway. The method obtains a key from an onboard controller of the vehicle and communicates the key to the candidate operator via a second communication pathway that is different from the first communication pathway. The method determines the candidate operator to be a confirmed operator based at least in part on obtaining the key from the candidate operator via the first communication pathway.

Abstract: A system (e.g., a target activation system for a transportation network) includes one or more processors configured to be operably coupled onboard a vehicle system having one or more vehicles. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle system at a first target location associated with a forward route of the vehicle system, determine a gap time between when the vehicle system leaves the first target location and is estimated to arrive at a second target location, and, based at least in part on the estimated time of arrival, a dwell time of the vehicle system at the first target location, the gap time, an allowable speed or acceleration of the vehicle system, and a designated warning time, generate an activation message configured to control at least one device associated with the second target location.

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 communication system includes communication units onboard a vehicle system. A first unit receives satellite positioning data and correction data based on phase measurements of satellite signals. A second unit receives the satellite positioning data. One or more processors determine a first geographical position of the first unit based on the position correction data and the satellite positioning data. The processors communicate the position correction data or a copy thereof to the second unit. The processors determine second geographical position data of the second unit based on the position correction data and the satellite positioning data. The one or more processors communicate the second geographical position data that is determined to the first communication unit.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a controller that may receive location data points indicative of locations of a vehicle as measured by a location sensor. This controller may determine a distribution of the location data points and identify one or more of a route or a lane of a route in which the vehicle is disposed by comparing the distribution of the location data points to one or more characteristics of the one or more of the route or the lane of the route.

Abstract: A vehicle location and control system determines a signal-derived separation distance between antennas disposed onboard a vehicle based on signals received by the antennas from an off-board source. The system determines an input-derived separation distance between the antennas based on input offset distances of the antennas from a designated location on the vehicle, determines a difference between the input-derived separation distance and the signal-derived separation distance, and activates or deactivates an automated route identification system that determines which route of several different routes that the vehicle is disposed upon based on the difference that is determined.

Abstract: A system and method include a control unit configured to detect a presence of a vehicle within a route area based on sensor signals output by an observer device that monitors the route area. The control unit is configured to determine a distance of the vehicle from the observer device and to determine a vehicle location of the vehicle based on the distance and a predetermined location of the observer device. The system and method include a communication device configured to communicate the vehicle location to at least one of the vehicle or a remote control device that is off-board the vehicle prior to the vehicle starting to move along a route occupied by the vehicle.