Abstract: A system for controlling a railroad train over a segment of track. The system comprises a first element for determining a location of the train on the segment of track; a second element for providing track characterization information for the segment of track; the track characterization information related to physical conditions of the segment of track; and a processor for controlling applied tractive forces and braking forces of the train responsive to the location of the train and the track characterization information to reduce at least one of wheel wear and/or track wear during operation of the train over the segment of track.

Abstract: A system is provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along a route. The plurality of powered systems include a constraining powered system and at least one trailing powered system traveling behind the constraining powered system along the route. The system includes one or more controllers configured to control the constraining powered system to travel along the route according to respective predetermined operating parameters at respective incremental locations along the route. The system further includes one of said controllers being configured to control the trailing powered system to travel along the route according to the respective predetermined operating parameters of the constraining powered system at the respective incremental locations along the route. A method is also provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along the route.

Abstract: A method for operating a train includes: (a) using a processor carried by the train, creating a trip profile which is computed at so as to substantially optimize an operating parameter of the train which depends on multiple operating variables; (b) operating the train along a route at speeds determined by the trip profile; (c) identifying a target location ahead of the train which cannot be cleared in a desired time if the train operates in accordance with the trip profile; and (d) operating the train at a clearing speed substantially faster than determined by the trip profile until the target location is cleared. A computer program product is provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for operating a powered system, the method including determining whether a mission plan of the powered system is correct to satisfy at least one mission objective of the powered system, if not, updating information used to establish the mission plan, revising the mission plan based on the updated information to satisfy the at least one mission objective, and operating the powered system based on the revised mission plan. A system and a computer software code for operating a powered system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optimization system is provided for a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route. The braking schedule is based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system and is configured to be enacted in a braking region along the route. The optimization system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive parameter data. The processor compares the measured parameter with an expected parameter, which is based on the at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system. The processor adjusts the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparison, and adjusts the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the at least one predetermined characteristic. A method is also provided for optimizing a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of a power system having at least one internal combustion power unit includes: (a) identifying a plurality of discrete potential dynamic events; (b) for each potential dynamic event, computing an optimization profile which describes power settings for the power system to follow in order to optimize at least one operating parameter of the at least one power unit; (c) selecting one of the optimization profiles based on the potential dynamic event with the highest current probability; and (d) operating the system in accordance with the selected optimization profile.

Abstract: A rail sensing and analysis system utilizes a laser sensor 105, 107 to detect displacement of a rail 102, 104 resulting from loads imposed by a passing rail vehicle. Vertical and/or lateral displacements/loads may be sensed. Signatures in the resulting signals are indicative of useful information about the rail vehicle; such as wheel condition, bearing condition, truck condition, degree of bogie hunting, total load, load distribution, etc. The ratio of Lateral over Vertical force (L/V) may be used as an evaluation criterion.

Abstract: A method of distributed control of train throttle and braking includes transmitting an instruction to a remote power unit to apply at least one acceleration to the train at a future time; receiving the instruction; transmitting a confirmation that the remote power unit is armed to execute the instruction to a lead power unit; and computing a profile describing at least one acceleration to be applied to the train as it travels over a predetermined route. The computation is determined at least in part on whether or not the confirmation has been received by the lead power unit. The instructions may be contained in a profile which optimizes fuel consumption, emissions, and/or trip time. The accelerations may be carried out by direct control or by prompting an operator. In another aspect, the confirmed instructions may be used to ensure braking in accordance with a predetermined braking curve.