Abstract: A controller is provided that can receive or determine at least one first location associated with at least a first vehicle belonging to a vehicle group; receive or determine at least one second location associated with at least a second vehicle; and determine a route or lane from a plurality of possible routes or lanes on which the vehicle group is located based at least partly on the at least one first location and on the at least one second location.

Abstract: A device for attachment to a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car in a track network having a plurality of tracks is disclosed. The device may include at least one sensor. The sensor(s) may be disposed with the rear car. The sensor(s) may be configured to generate sensor data associated with at least one of a heading of the rear car of the train or a distance between the rear car of the train and an object in the track network. A communication interface may be configured to transmit the sensor data to at least one receiver. The receiver(s) may provide at least one indication based on the sensor data. A device for use onboard the train, a control system, a method for operating the device(s), and a method for coupling the train to a separate car are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system may include a sensor that detects positioning data indicative of a position of a first coupler of a first vehicle system and positioning data indicative of a position of a second coupler of a second vehicle system during a coupling event of the vehicle systems. A controller includes one or more processors that receive the positioning data of the first and second couplers and determines whether the first coupler is misaligned with the second coupler. The controller may initiate an action of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system to change a position of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system. Changing the position of the first coupler, the second coupler, the first vehicle system, or the second vehicle system aligns the first coupler with the second coupler.

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 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 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 switch reporting device including at least one display screen, a high resolution camera, a code reader, at least one memory and one or more processors, the switch reporting device configured to determine a position of an unmonitored switch in a railway by capturing an image of one or more portions associated with the unmonitored switch, generating switch position data based on the image of one or more portions associated with the unmonitored switch, and updating a switch position record for the unmonitored switch with the switch position data. The switch reporting device includes one or more mobile computers or an EOT device for monitoring and reporting switch position data for an unmonitored switch.

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 vehicle management system communicates with monitor devices coupled with a path control device at an intersection between route segments. The path control device switches positions to connect different combinations of the route segments. The system receives signals from the monitor devices to determine which of the route segments are coupled with each other and receives an authority signal from a travel authority system that indicates which of the route segments that the vehicle is authorized to travel. The system directs the vehicle through the path control device responsive to a combination of: (a) receipt of the authority signal and (b) receipt of at least one of the monitor signals or failure to receive one or more of the monitor signals.

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: 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: In a method of train deceleration, a train computer: (a) causes brakes of the train to be set according to a target deceleration curve, profile, or braking model estimated to decelerate the train from a present speed at a present location to a target speed at a target location; (b) during deceleration of the train according to the target deceleration curve, profile, or braking model of step (a), determines an actual deceleration curve of the train; (c) in response to determining from the actual deceleration curve that the train will overshoot the target speed at the target location, determines another target deceleration curve, profile, or braking model estimated to decelerate the train to the target speed at the target location; and (d) causes the brakes of the train to be set according to the other target deceleration curve, profile or braking model of step (c).

Abstract: A system for determining a presence of a rail vehicle on a plurality of tracks that includes a first image capture device, a second image capture device, and at least one processor to receive first image data associated with a first image captured by the first image capture device, receive second image data associated with a second image captured by the second image capture device, determine a first track upon which a rail vehicle is predicted to be located based on the first image data associated with the first image, determine a second track upon which the rail vehicle is predicted to be located based on the second image data associated with the second image, and determine the track upon which the rail vehicle is located based on the first track and the second track. A method and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining geographic positions of a head of train (HOT) unit and an end of train (EOT) unit of a train includes receiving, by the HOT, first satellite radio position data and position correction data; determining, by the HOT, a first geographic location of the HOT based on the first satellite radio position data and the position correction data received by the HOT; receiving, by the EOT, second satellite radio position data; receiving, by the EOT from the HOT via a communication link, a copy of the position correction data received by the HOT; determining, by the EOT, a second geographic location of the EOT based on the second satellite radio position data and the position correction data received by the EOT; and receiving, by the HOT from the EOT, a copy of second geographic location of the EOT.

Abstract: Systems and methods of verifying train integrity may include generating EOT operation information based on sensor data from one or more sensors located at the end of a train, monitoring train integrity by periodically determining if the EOT operation information correlates to HOT operation information in a head of the train associated with a status of one or more sensors in the head of the train within a predetermined range, generating an integrity notification based at least partially on monitoring the predetermined range between EOT operation information and HOT operation information, and communicating a notification of an integrity event to at least one of the following: an on-board computer, an EOT device, a remote server associated with a specified entity, or any combination thereof.

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 device for attachment to a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car in a track network having a plurality of tracks is disclosed. The device may include at least one sensor. The sensor(s) may be disposed with the rear car. The sensor(s) may be configured to generate sensor data associated with at least one of a heading of the rear car of the train or a distance between the rear car of the train and an object in the track network. A communication interface may be configured to transmit the sensor data to at least one receiver. The receiver(s) may provide at least one indication based on the sensor data. A device for use onboard the train, a control system, a method for operating the device(s), and a method for coupling the train to a separate car are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining a presence of a rail vehicle on a plurality of tracks that includes a first image capture device, a second image capture device, and at least one processor to receive first image data associated with a first image captured by the first image capture device, receive second image data associated with a second image captured by the second image capture device, determine a first track upon which a rail vehicle is predicted to be located based on the first image data associated with the first image, determine a second track upon which the rail vehicle is predicted to be located based on the second image data associated with the second image, and determine the track upon which the rail vehicle is located based on the first track and the second track. A method and computer program product are also disclosed.

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: Described are a device, system, and method for monitoring a distance between a first rail car and a second rail car during coupling. The device includes a fastener configured to affix the device to the first rail car and a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car in a direction away from an end of the first rail car and toward an end of the second rail car. The device also includes a power source and a data connector to communicatively connect the device to a remote processor. The device further includes a local processor programmed or configured to repeatedly receive distance data from the distance sensor of the distance between the first rail car and the second rail car and communicate the distance data to the remote processor.