Abstract: A power assignment system and method determine a needed amount of power for propelling a vehicle system along a route and identify propulsion-generating vehicles for inclusion in the vehicle system based on power capabilities of the one or more propulsion-generating vehicles. Handling parameters of the vehicle system are determined for different groups of the propulsion-generating vehicles, and the propulsion-generating vehicles in at least one of the groups are selected based on the handling parameters. The selected propulsion-generating vehicles are included in the vehicle system during actual travel of the vehicle system along the route during the trip.

Abstract: A power assignment system and method determine a needed amount of power for propelling a vehicle system along a route and identify propulsion-generating vehicles for inclusion in the vehicle system based on power capabilities of the one or more propulsion-generating vehicles. Handling parameters of the vehicle system are determined for different groups of the propulsion-generating vehicles, and the propulsion-generating vehicles in at least one of the groups are selected based on the handling parameters. The selected propulsion-generating vehicles are included in the vehicle system during actual travel of the vehicle system along the route during the trip.

Abstract: A method for controlling coupler nodes in a vehicle system includes monitoring coupler forces between vehicle units in the vehicle system. The vehicle units include plural propulsion-generating vehicles. The method also includes identifying one or more nodes in the vehicle system based on the coupler forces. The one or more nodes represent one or more respective locations in the vehicle system disposed between a tensile section of the vehicle system experiencing a tensile force and a compressive section of the vehicle system experiencing a compressive force. The method also includes independently controlling tractive operations of the propulsion-generating vehicles based on the one or more nodes that are identified in order to control at least one of a number of the one or more nodes that are identified in the vehicle system or the one or more locations of the one or more nodes.

Abstract: A method for controlling coupler nodes in a vehicle system includes monitoring coupler forces between vehicle units in the vehicle system. The vehicle units include plural propulsion-generating vehicles. The method also includes identifying one or more nodes in the vehicle system based on the coupler forces. The one or more nodes represent one or more respective locations in the vehicle system disposed between a tensile section of the vehicle system experiencing a tensile force and a compressive section of the vehicle system experiencing a compressive force. The method also includes independently controlling tractive operations of the propulsion-generating vehicles based on the one or more nodes that are identified in order to control at least one of a number of the one or more nodes that are identified in the vehicle system or the one or more locations of the one or more nodes.