Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more distance measuring imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged distance measurements are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A remote control system for controlling movement of a train comprises one or more sensors positioned relative to a railroad track for detecting the presence of a lead railcar on the track being pushed by a remotely controllable locomotive. The one or more sensors are spaced a distance from a predetermined stop location of a lead railcar and transmit signals when the lead railcar is detected on the track. A programmable controller positioned off-board or wayside receives signals from the one or more sensors and is in radio communication with an onboard operating system of the locomotive. The controller transmits a signal to the locomotive when the lead railcar is detected by a sensor, and in response to the signal the operating system of the locomotive sets a maximum speed setting for the locomotive to travel on the track toward the stop location.

Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a set of wayside systems with a radio transmitter includes a plurality of input ports each having at least one input for receiving a signal representing a state of a corresponding wayside system and first and second parallel data paths coupled to the plurality of input ports. Each data path includes input protection circuitry coupled to the inputs of the input ports for preventing short-circuit and open-circuit conditions from triggering a false input state, a multiplexer for selecting between the input port; and a processor for scanning the input ports with the multiplexer to determine the state of current signals appearing at the inputs. In response to determining the state of the current signals appearing at the inputs, the processor generates a message communicating a current state of the wayside systems for delivery to the radio transmitter.

Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of mobile sensors to collect temperature information used to control, inter alia, rail vehicle speed, acceleration, or scheduling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for optimizing the dynamics and energy usage of long vehicles such as freight trains by determining their operating conditions and calculating an optimal sequence of power and braking control actions. The sequence calculated provides for optimal vehicle dynamic behaviour with minimum energy usage in accordance with the train type, track topography and train operation rules and policies. The method and system serves as a management tool for the driver and reference signals for a train cruise control or autopilot system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a train for a crew change and includes collecting information on the train including weight and length of the train, special weight distribution, number and location of cars with cut-out or inoperative brakes, status of dynamic brakes on all locomotives, if brake test is required, and prior train brake problems. The information is stored as a report and displayed at a crew change. The train is disabled until the crew has accepted the report.

Abstract: A vital microcompressor-based rate decoder for use in a vital processing system in on-board main line railroad and rapid transit automatic train protection systems; the design is such that a method is incorporated for tolerating specific kinds of signal disruption and in such a way that the probability of a wrongside failure has a calculable upper bound. A pickup coil transmits external or wayside signals to an arrangement which involves two channels and which provides period and duty cycle measurement of the pulses resulting from demodulation of the external signals. A counter is employed in each of the channels and a tolerance accumulation rate decoding device is included, the maximum amount of tolerance accumulated, and the minimum time required to accumulate it, being functions of the rate code selected.

Abstract: A device is provided for protection against the presence of transmission errors in an information transmission system used in railroading. An interrogation apparatus emits a periodically variable interrogation signal within a specified frequency band consisting of successive frequency ranges. A reply apparatus selectively dampens the interrogation signal in sub-ranges of each frequency range so as to provide a frequency-selectively reflected interrogation signal which has power penetrations in the respective sub-ranges. The first switching member is provided to produce a first impulse sequence whose impulses lie centrally at the border of the sub-ranges. A comparator then determines whether the center of the power penetration lies within one of the sub-range border impulses. If such is the case, an interference signal is activated. Similarly a second switching member is provided which produces a second impulse sequence having impulses wider than those of the first impulse sequence.