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: 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 system and method for determining the location of a vehicle when GNSS signals are not available use triangulation between one or two radio transmitters and, respectively, two or one radio receivers mounted on the vehicle. The distance between each radio transmitter and/or each radio receiver can be determined according a phase difference between received radio signals. The radio signals can have the geographical location of the radio transmitter included therein. Utilizing the demodulated geographical location of each radio transmitter and the distance between the radio transmitter and each radio receiver, triangulation can be used to determine the geographical location of the vehicle.

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: In one example, a wayside device monitoring system is provided. The system may include a wayside device and a controller. The wayside device may detect one or more operating parameters of a vehicle in a vehicle system moving over a route segment. The controller can receive information from the wayside device regarding at least the one or more operating parameters detected, and can control movement the vehicle directly or indirectly based at least in part on the received information.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method wirelessly communicate from at least one wireless transmitter positioned proximate a route crossing to a wireless receiver of a vehicle via a wireless wayside transceiver. The system and method communicate an indication of whether the route crossing is clear for passage of the vehicle through the route crossing. The system and method receive the indication by the wireless transmitter and using the vehicle receiver. A vehicle controller or an operator of the vehicle can determine whether it is safe for the vehicle to travel through the route crossing based on the indication received by the vehicle receiver from the portable transmitter. The vehicle can then be operated based on the determination.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a vehicle when GNSS signals are not available use triangulation between one or two radio transmitters and, respectively, two or one radio receivers mounted on the vehicle. The distance between each radio transmitter and/or each radio receiver can be determined according a phase difference between received radio signals. The radio signals can have the geographical location of the radio transmitter included therein. Utilizing the demodulated geographical location of each radio transmitter and the distance between the radio transmitter and each radio receiver, triangulation can be used to determine the geographical location of the vehicle.

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 controller may be configured to receive one or more measured rotational speeds of a wheel of a vehicle. The controller may be configured to determine whether the one or more measured rotational speeds are unreliable relative to one or more previous rotational speeds of the wheel of the vehicle. The controller may be configured to calculate a replacement rotational speed of the wheel and use the replacement rotational speed of the wheel to control or restrict movement of the vehicle using or based on the replacement rotational speed in place of the one or more measured rotational speeds.

Abstract: A weight profile determination system may be provided that includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor may be disposed along a route and configured to generate a plurality of force measurements of a vehicle system moving on the route relative to the sensor. The force measurements may be obtained at different times and correspond to different locations along a length of the vehicle system. The controller may determine a weight profile for the vehicle system based on the force measurements generated by the sensor. The weight profile can represent a distribution of weight along the length of the vehicle system. The controller may communicate the weight profile to one or more of the vehicle system or an offboard device for controlling movement of the vehicle system based on the weight profile.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method include processors that determine that an energy storage device of a vehicle will have insufficient energy to power a propulsion system of the vehicle under a first set of operational settings to move the vehicle from a first location within a powered segment to a designated second location that is outside of an unpowered segment of a route. Responsive to determining that the energy storage device will have insufficient energy, the processors change one or more settings of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under a second set of operational settings while the vehicle moves within the powered segment of the route to charge the energy storage device to a greater extent relative to operating of the vehicle according to the first set of operational settings.

Abstract: A weight profile determination system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is disposed along a route and configured to generate a plurality of force measurements of a vehicle system moving on the route relative to the sensor. The force measurements are obtained at different times and correspond to different locations along a length of the vehicle system. The controller is configured to determine a weight profile for the vehicle system based on the force measurements generated by the sensor. The weight profile represents a distribution of weight along the length of the vehicle system. The controller is configured to communicate the weight profile to one or more of the vehicle system or an offboard device for controlling movement of the vehicle system based on the weight profile.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method include one or more processors that determine that a vehicle has or will have insufficient energy to power a propulsion system of the vehicle under a first set of operational settings to move the vehicle from a first location to a designated second location that is outside of an unpowered segment of a route along which the vehicle moves. Responsive to determining that the vehicle has or will have insufficient energy, the one or more processors change one or more of a throttle setting or a brake setting of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under a second set of operational settings while the vehicle moves within a powered segment of the route.

Abstract: A target stand for supporting target disks above a ground surface includes a rigid support stand that comprises two side members each having a top end, a bottom end, and a central area, and in some embodiments a cross bar spanning between the central areas of the side members. A target supply mechanism comprises at least a front plate and a rear plate, a target disk track being defined therebetween from a top edge to a bottom edge between the plates. Each side edge of the target supply mechanism is fixed to the top end of one of the side members. A target holder is fixed proximate the bottom edge of the target supply mechanism to receive one or more of the target disks from the target supply mechanism and present the target disks to a target shooter.

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 system and a method may include one or more sensors disposed onboard a vehicle that may sense one or more characteristics of the vehicle. The system may include one or more processors configured to determining an identification of a switch on a route along which a vehicle moves using one or more sensors onboard the vehicle. A location of the switch is identified with the one or more sensors. A state of the switch is determined with the one or more sensors. The identification of the switch, location of the switch, and the state of the switch are communicated with an off-board database.

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.