A train management method includes sending a registration request to a takeover zone controller (ZC) in response to determining that the train enters an area of co-management, so that the takeover ZC calculates a second movement authority (MA) of the train according to the registration request and exchanges information with a handover ZC, determining a target MA according to a first MA of the handover ZC for the train and the second MA of the takeover ZC for the train, and traveling according to the target MA within the area of co-management. The area of co-management is composed of a part of an area of management of the handover ZC and a part of an area of management of the takeover ZC.

A train management method includes sending a registration request to a takeover zone controller (ZC) in response to determining that the train enters an area of co-management, so that the takeover ZC calculates a second movement authority (MA) of the train according to the registration request and exchanges information with a handover ZC, determining a target MA according to a first MA of the handover ZC for the train and the second MA of the takeover ZC for the train, and traveling according to the target MA within the area of co-management. The area of co-management is composed of a part of an area of management of the handover ZC and a part of an area of management of the takeover ZC.

A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, wherein the track switching arrangement forms diverging pathways and enables vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system. The track switching arrangement includes an upstream pathway; two downstream pathways; and a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways. Each of the pathways includes track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle.

Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for controlling remote equipment in a network. A switch heater control system includes a weather modeling function. The system periodically obtains weather data according to a predetermined time interval. Based on the closest weather data set, the weather modeling function generates a hyperlocal forecast associated with each switch heater location. The system includes an active snowfall mode and a maintenance mode that controls heating based on an estimate of local snow depth, adjusted for wind conditions and passing trains. When the hyperlocal forecast indicates heating is required, the system calculates a melt duration, starts a timer, and transmits a start signal to the switch heater.

A system includes a locator device and one or more processors operably connected to the locator device. The locator device determines a trailing distance between a trailing vehicle system that travels along a route and a leading vehicle system that travels along the route ahead of the trailing vehicle system in a same direction of travel. The one or more processors compare the trailing distance to a first proximity distance relative to the leading vehicle system. In response to the trailing distance being less than the first proximity distance, the one or more processors set a permitted power output limit for the trailing vehicle system to be less than a maximum achievable power output for the trailing vehicle system, the permitted power output limit being set based on a power-to-weight ratio of the leading vehicle system.

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.

In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a controller, a first wind direction relative to a first vehicle and determining, by the controller, a first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method also includes calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind direction relative to ground using the first wind direction relative to the first vehicle and calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind speed relative to the ground using the first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method further includes calculating, by the controller, a second wind direction relative to a second vehicle using the absolute wind direction and calculating, by the controller, a second wind speed relative to the second vehicle using the absolute wind speed. A front end of the first vehicle and a front end of the second vehicle face different directions.

In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a controller, a first wind direction relative to a first vehicle and determining, by the controller, a first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method also includes calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind direction relative to ground using the first wind direction relative to the first vehicle and calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind speed relative to the ground using the first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method further includes calculating, by the controller, a second wind direction relative to a second vehicle using the absolute wind direction and calculating, by the controller, a second wind speed relative to the second vehicle using the absolute wind speed. A front end of the first vehicle and a front end of the second vehicle face different directions.

An arrangement has a technical system, in particular a safety-related system, and a control device which controls the system and can change the technical state of the system by use of control commands. An interface device to be connected to the control device is provided. The interface device forms an external interface for connection to an external remote query device. The interface device has a checking device which is configured in such a manner that it checks a received remote query signal for the presence of a query command stored as permissible in the interface device. In the event of permissibility, the interface device forwards only the query command to the control device and blocks the forwarding of the remote query signal as such or all other control commands which are not query commands stored as permissible.

A plurality of cameras is secured to railroad ties to take high resolution images of the underside of a train car as it passes over this plurality of cameras. These images are important to insure the structural integrity of the parts of the rail car as well as the connection means—a coupler and pin—between two rail cars. The shutter speed of the cameras is determined by the speed of the train as it passes over the cameras. As the images are taken, the images can be downloaded and sent to a remote location for further analysis.