Abstract: A method of scheduling the movement of trains using the creation and the pre-allocation of virtual resources in order to develop an optimized schedule of actual train movement.

Abstract: A rail communication system includes: a communication management device capable of being communicatively coupled with a conductive pathway that extends along a track; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with a rail vehicle that travels along the track and with the conductive pathway, the communication management device and the on-board communication device configured to communicate a data signal between each other through the conductive pathway, where the data signal includes network data. A method for communicating with rail vehicles includes: coupling a vehicle management device with a conductive pathway that extends alongside a track; and coupling an on-board communication device disposed on a rail vehicle that travels along the track with the conductive pathway; where the communication management device and the on-board communication device communicate a data signal that includes network data through the conductive pathway.

Abstract: A method for mapping a railroad track is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track and determining coordinates of each track segment. The method also includes storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments and linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map.

Abstract: A route defect detection system for a powered system, the route defect detection system including a control system connected to the powered system for application of tractive effort, and a processor to determine an unplanned change in the application of tractive effort and/or otherwise associated with the tractive effort of the powered system. Based on the unplanned change, the processor determines a type of defect encountered along a mission route. A method and computer software code stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor are also disclosed for a powered system to detect a defect along a mission route.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for operating a railway network comprising a first railway vehicle (400) during a trip along track segments (401/412/420).

Abstract: A control system includes a controller and an energy management system. The controller is onboard a vehicle that includes motors and an onboard energy storage device that powers the motors. The energy management system calculates estimated electric loads of powering the motors over one or more segments of a trip according to designated operational settings of a trip plan. The energy management system also determines a demanded amount of electric energy for powering the vehicle based on the estimated electric loads. The demanded amount of electric energy is based on a stored amount of electric energy in the onboard storage device. The energy management system communicates the demanded amount of electric energy to one or more of plural wayside stations disposed along the route so that the wayside stations have sufficient electric energy to charge the onboard energy storage device with the electric energy to meet the estimated electric loads.

Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

Abstract: A method is provided including determining a first power level required from a diesel powered system. The first power level corresponds to a first proportion of a maximum power. The method also includes determining an emission output for a mission based on the first power level. The method further includes determining a second power level corresponding to a second proportion of the maximum power, wherein alternate use of the second power level and at least one of the first power level or a third power level results in a lower emission output for the mission, with the overall resulting power being proximate the minimum power required. The method also includes automatically controlling operation of the diesel powered system by using the second power level alternately with at least one of the first power level or the third power level.

Abstract: A portable computer system and method of operating a vehicle using the portable computer system in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory is provided. The portable computer system includes a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the CBTC system, wherein the portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle. The method includes verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system, and removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine, the engine coupled to a traction alternator for vehicle travelling. In one example, the method includes, in an off-highway vehicle running mode of operation, supplying current from the traction alternator to a traction motor via a traction inverter to propel the vehicle, and, in a starting mode of operation, supplying stored energy from a first energy source and a secondary energy source to the traction alternator to start the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling rail vehicle data communication are provided. In one embodiment, a multiple-unit rail vehicle system includes a first rail vehicle including a first wireless network device to detect a wireless network. The wireless network is provided by a wayside device. The rail vehicle further comprises a first communication management system to send, through the wireless network, a data communication to a second rail vehicle of the multiple-unit rail vehicle system.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a train or rail vehicle along a railway which is logically divided into segments, and includes at least one control point presenting at least two possible paths that are exclusive of each other, each path including one or more segments. The method includes: (a) controlling the rail vehicle as it travels along the railway by reference to a one-dimensional representation of the segments prior to the control point; (b) determining which segment located immediately past the control point is to be occupied by the rail vehicle; (c) after the rail vehicle has traveled past the at least one control point, verifying which segment was occupied; (d) interlocking the occupied segment; (e) passing segment information to the rail vehicle; and (f) controlling the rail vehicle as it travels along the railway in reference to a one-dimensional representation of the segments past the control point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating through a rail are provided. In one embodiment, a method for communicating through a rail is provided. The method includes sending an acoustic signal through the rail of a designated section of track. The acoustic signal includes control commands to remotely control operation of a rail vehicle on the designated section of track.

Abstract: A rail appliance communication system includes: an equipment management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and an appliance communication device capable of being coupled with a rail appliance disposed proximate to the track, the appliance communication device and the equipment management device configured to communicate a data signal with each other through the conductive pathway. A method for communicating with a rail appliance includes: coupling an equipment management device with a conductive pathway that extends along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and coupling an appliance communication device with the rail appliance disposed proximate to the track; wherein the equipment management device and the appliance communication device communicate a data signal through the conductive pathway.

Abstract: A rail communication system includes: a communication management device capable of being communicatively coupled with a conductive pathway that extends along a track; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with a rail vehicle that travels along the track and with the conductive pathway, the communication management device and the on-board communication device configured to communicate a data signal between each other through the conductive pathway, where the data signal includes network data. A method for communicating with rail vehicles includes: coupling a vehicle management device with a conductive pathway that extends alongside a track; and coupling an on-board communication device disposed on a rail vehicle that travels along the track with the conductive pathway; where the communication management device and the on-board communication device communicate a data signal that includes network data through the conductive pathway.

Abstract: A rail vehicle control communication system includes a vehicle management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track and of forming an instruction to control an operation of a rail vehicle travelling along the track, the vehicle management device transmitting the instruction to the rail vehicle through the conductive pathway; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with the rail vehicle, the on-board communication device configured to receive the instruction communicated through the conductive pathway from the vehicle management device, the on-board communication device configured to change the operation of the rail vehicle based on the instruction.

Abstract: A rail vehicle system and a method for managing distribution of power in the rail vehicle system are provided.

Abstract: A system and method of scheduling the movement of trains as a function of the predicted crew behavior and predicted rail conditions based on the historical behavior of the crew for specific rail conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a power transfer rate in to and/or out of a vehicle energy storage device to affect a current state of charge of the energy storage device. The vehicle may be on a mission comprising a plurality of future power transfer opportunities. In one example, the method comprises adjusting the power transfer rate based on an estimated duration of a future power transfer opportunity. Further, the method may include, if the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity is different from a predetermined threshold, changing the power transfer rate at the future power transfer opportunity. The method allows the operating life of the energy storage device to be extended.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring different conditions that are simultaneously or concurrently experienced by different vehicles in the same consist and using the monitored conditions to locally change operations of one or more of the vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, operations data related to one or more vehicles of the consist is acquired from one or more of plural different locations in the consist. The operations data and location data related to where the operations data is acquired are communicated to a first vehicle of the consist. Command data is formed based on the operations data and the location data. The command data directs at least one of the vehicles in the consist to change one or more operations of the at least one of the vehicles. The command data is transmitted to one or more of the vehicles of the consist.