Abstract: In one embodiment, a common rail fuel system for an engine of a vehicle, such as a locomotive, comprises a higher-pressure fuel sub-system and a lower-pressure fuel sub-system, wherein a pressure limiting valve, is in fluid communication with to the higher-pressure fuel sub-system to relieve excess pressure. In a condition where pressure of the higher-pressure fuel sub-system is below a desired and expected threshold, it is possible that the pressure limiting valve is open. An example method is provided to close the pressure limiting valve and determine if opening of the pressure limiting valve is the cause of the pressure being below the threshold or if a leak is present in the common rail fuel system. In this manner, unnecessary disabling of the engine is avoided and, if a leak is present, the leaking sub-system is identified.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and system are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of an operating parameter indicative of an ambient environmental condition produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable, receiving a second value of the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle, and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the operating parameter.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an engine in a vehicle, the engine having an intake and an exhaust. In one example, a method includes determining the vehicle is under tunneling operation in response to one or more of an intake gas constituent and an exhaust gas constituent. The method further comprises adjusting one or more operating parameters in response to the determination of tunneling operation.

Abstract: Dynamic health assessment systems and methods related to monitoring fuel flow control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling a system having an engine is provided. The method includes during a no-load condition of the engine, stopping fuel injection by a plurality of fuel injectors of the engine, closing a valve that is operable to control fuel flow to a fuel pump that pumps fuel to a common fuel rail, and setting a degradation condition in response to a fuel rail pressure decay rate of a fuel pressure in the common fuel rail being greater than a decay threshold after a first designated duration.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for regenerating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler. One example method includes, initiating an EGR cooler regeneration mode, wherein the EGR cooler regeneration mode comprises changing a fuel distribution of a donor cylinder group relative to a non-donor cylinder group of an engine, and increasing at least one of engine speed or load of the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining compression device degradation of an engine of a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a rail vehicle system includes an engine, an air-intake passage coupled to the engine, a compression device including a compressor positioned along the air-intake passage, a barometric air pressure sensor for measuring a barometric air pressure upstream of the compressor, a manifold air pressure sensor for measuring a manifold air pressure downstream of the compressor, and a controller configured to adjust a rail vehicle operating parameter responsive to a determination of compression device degradation based on a negative pressure differential between the manifold air pressure and the barometric air pressure during a designated operating condition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a common rail fuel system for an engine of a vehicle, such as a locomotive, comprises a higher-pressure fuel sub-system and a lower-pressure fuel sub-system, wherein a pressure limiting valve, is in fluid communication with to the higher-pressure fuel sub-system to relieve excess pressure. In a condition where pressure of the higher-pressure fuel sub-system is below a desired and expected threshold, it is possible that the pressure limiting valve is open. An example method is provided to close the pressure limiting valve and determine if opening of the pressure limiting valve is the cause of the pressure being below the threshold or if a leak is present in the common rail fuel system. In this manner, unnecessary disabling of the engine is avoided and, if a leak is present, the leaking sub-system is identified.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a vehicle with an engine. In one example, a method includes identifying an approaching tunnel. The method further includes, responsive to a particulate load of a particulate filter, the particulate filter disposed in an exhaust treatment system of an engine of the vehicle, initiating regeneration of the particulate filter at a selected distance before the tunnel such that regeneration is performed before the vehicle enters the tunnel.

Abstract: A method for repairing a damaged area of a bitutinous wearing course. The method comprises heating the damaged area, applying a liquid to the damaged area that rejuvenates damaged bitumen, adding new material to the damaged area in an amount required to level the area, and compacting the new material. The invention also provides a new composition for rejuvenating damaged bitumen. The composition may comprise an emulsifier, a heavy paraffinic distillate solvent extract, a heavy naphthenic distillate solvent extract and water.