Abstract: A vehicle control system and method determine that a vehicle moving in a manned operative state is approaching a defined zone. The vehicle is controlled based on manual input received from an operator onboard the vehicle while in the manned operative state. The system and method also switch the vehicle from the manned operative state to an unmanned operative state responsive to the vehicle approaching the defined zone and the operator disembarking from the vehicle. The movement of the vehicle is controlled in the unmanned operative state of the vehicle during travel of the vehicle inside the defined zone. The vehicle is autonomously controlled or remotely controlled while in the unmanned operative state.

Abstract: An infrastructure detection and monitoring system includes a remote data storage system that receives and communicates sensor data and signals regarding infrastructure health. The remote data storage system processes and/or stores at least a first sensor data portion and generates advisory signals based on the first sensor data portion. The advisory signals are communicated to a receiver device responsive to the sensor data indicating that the health of the infrastructure indicates imminent failure. Additionally or alternatively, the receiver device can generate one or more control signals responsive to the advisory signals or responsive to the sensor data indicating that the heath of the infrastructure indicates imminent failure of the infrastructure.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a lead communication device wirelessly communicating command messages to remote communication devices onboard a vehicle system during a messaging cycle. The lead device receives reply messages from the remote devices during the messaging cycle in response to the command messages. The lead device receives a status signal from at least one of the remote devices during a guard interval that follows completion of the messaging cycle. The lead device communicates the command message and receives the reply messages using analog modulation or digital modulation. The lead communication device also receives the status signal using the other of the analog modulation or the digital modulation. The command messages, the reply messages, and the status signal are communicated using a designated frequency channel.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a lead communication device wirelessly communicating command messages to remote communication devices onboard a vehicle system during a messaging cycle. The lead device receives reply messages from the remote devices during the messaging cycle in response to the command messages. The lead device receives a status signal from at least one of the remote devices during a guard interval that follows completion of the messaging cycle. The lead device communicates the command message and receives the reply messages using analog modulation or digital modulation. The lead communication device also receives the status signal using the other of the analog modulation or the digital modulation. The command messages, the reply messages, and the status signal are communicated using a designated frequency channel.

Abstract: A locomotive communication system includes a lead communication device wirelessly communicating command messages to remote communication devices onboard a rail vehicle system during a messaging cycle. The lead device receives reply messages from the remote devices during the messaging cycle in response to the command messages. The lead device receives a status signal from at least one of the remote devices during a guard interval that follows completion of the messaging cycle. The lead device communicates the command message and receives the reply messages using analog modulation or digital modulation. The lead communication device also receives the status signal using the other of the analog modulation or the digital modulation. The command messages, the reply messages, and the status signal are communicated using a designated frequency channel.

Abstract: A brake control system for a distributed power vehicle system includes a brake system and a distributed power control system in a first vehicle, and first and second separate communication links between the brake system and the distributed power control system. In operation, upon the initiation of a penalty brake application, the brake system transmits information about the brake level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system, over at least the first communication link. However, if the first communication link fails, the brake system redundantly transmits the information about the level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system over the second communication link. The information is transmitted from the distributed power control system in the first vehicle to remote vehicles for carrying out the penalty brake application.

Abstract: A communication management system for a vehicle includes a control module, a communication module, and a management module. The control module is disposed on-board a lead powered unit of the vehicle. The control module is configured to automatically change propulsion energy settings of a remote powered unit of the vehicle. The communication module transmits instructions to the remote powered unit to automatically change the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit. The communication module identifies communication gaps that represent interruption in one or more communication connections between the lead powered unit and the remote powered unit. The management module compares the propulsion energy settings of the lead powered unit and of the remote powered unit during the communication gaps and, based on the propulsion energy settings, prevents the control module from switching from automatic control of the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit to manual control.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling a distributed power rail vehicle consist, each of at least one powered rail vehicle in the rail vehicle consist is designated for operation as a remote trail. Based on the designation, a respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-out mode. Upon initiation of a service, an emergency, and/or a penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one the powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-in mode. Upon completion of the service, emergency, and/or penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated back to the cut-out mode.

Abstract: A communication management system for a vehicle includes a control module, a communication module, and a management module. The control module is disposed on-board a lead powered unit of the vehicle. The control module is configured to automatically change propulsion energy settings of a remote powered unit of the vehicle. The communication module transmits instructions to the remote powered unit to automatically change the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit. The communication module identifies communication gaps that represent interruption in one or more communication connections between the lead powered unit and the remote powered unit. The management module compares the propulsion energy settings of the lead powered unit and of the remote powered unit during the communication gaps and, based on the propulsion energy settings, prevents the control module from switching from automatic control of the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit to manual control.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive. A user on the lead locomotive is prompted to input a railroad and number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link command signal is transmitted from the lead locomotive, based on a predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, and the inputted railroad and number identifier. A second processor on the remote locomotive respectively compares the predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, the inputted railroad and number identifier of the lead locomotive, with an inputted number identifier of the lead locomotive, a predetermined railroad and a predetermined number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link reply signal, is transmitted from the remote locomotive, based on the comparison performed by the second processor, to establish the communication link. Additionally, a method is provided for establishing the wireless-based communication link.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling a distributed power rail vehicle consist, each of at least one powered rail vehicle in the rail vehicle consist is designated for operation as a remote trail. Based on the designation, a respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-out mode. Upon initiation of a service, an emergency, and/or a penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one the powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-in mode. Upon completion of the service, emergency, and/or penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated back to the cut-out mode.

Abstract: A brake control system for a distributed power vehicle system includes a brake system and a distributed power control system in a first vehicle, and first and second separate communication links between the brake system and the distributed power control system. In operation, upon the initiation of a penalty brake application, the brake system transmits information about the brake level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system, over at least the first communication link. However, if the first communication link fails, the brake system redundantly transmits the information about the level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system over the second communication link. The information is transmitted from the distributed power control system in the first vehicle to remote vehicles for carrying out the penalty brake application.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive. A user on the lead locomotive is prompted to input a railroad and number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link command signal is transmitted from the lead locomotive, based on a predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, and the inputted railroad and number identifier. A second processor on the remote locomotive respectively compares the predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, the inputted railroad and number identifier of the lead locomotive, with an inputted number identifier of the lead locomotive, a predetermined railroad and a predetermined number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link reply signal, is transmitted from the remote locomotive, based on the comparison performed by the second processor, to establish the communication link. Additionally, a method is provided for establishing the wireless-based communication link.

Abstract: A method for controlling communications linking among locomotives includes determining, during a communications linking procedure between a first locomotive (e.g., 12, 36) and at least one of a second locomotive (e.g., 14, 32) and a third locomotive (e.g., 16, 38), that the second locomotive and the third locomotive have duplicate locomotive identifiers. The method further includes controlling an operation of the first locomotive responsive to a determination that the second locomotive and the third locomotive have duplicate locomotive identifiers.

Abstract: In a transportation system comprising a fluid carrying brake pipe (14) connecting controlling member of the system and a controlled member (e.g., 12) a method of adaptively disabling an ability of the controlled member to respond to an unexpected brake pipe flow condition includes determining a braking state of the transportation system. The method also includes determining a degree of change in a brake pipe pressure during the braking state. The method further includes disabling an ability of the controlled member to respond to an unexpected brake pipe flow condition for a time period responsive to the braking state and the degree of change in the brake pipe pressure so that an undesired operation of the controlled member is limited.

Abstract: A distributed power train (10) communications system for sending and receiving signals between a lead locomotive (14) and remote locomotives (12A/12B/12C) in the train (10). A lead (14) initiated message is received by at least the remote locomotive (12A/12B) nearest to the lead unit (14). The receiving remote unit (12A/12B) retransmits the message for receiving by the next remote unit (12C) in the train. Thus the message leapfrogs down the train from the lead unit (14) to the remote units (12A/12B/12C). When the last remote unit (the nth remote unit) (12C) receives the message, the last remote (12C) transmits a status or other response message to the lead unit's message. The status message is received at the (n-1)th remote unit (12A/12B), which appends its status message and transmits the combined status messages toward the lead unit (14).