Embodiments of the invention relate to a communication system for vehicles and an associated method. A method includes receiving a command message from a first vehicle at a second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle and second vehicle are communicatively coupled to define at least a portion of a vehicle group; receiving a status reply message from the second vehicle at the first vehicle in response to a trigger event; controlling an operation of one or more vehicles in the vehicle group based at least in part on a determined communications status of a communication network comprising at least one communication device with respect to the command message and the status reply message.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a communication system for vehicles and an associated method. A method includes receiving a command message from a first vehicle at a second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle and second vehicle are communicatively coupled to define at least a portion of a vehicle group; receiving a status reply message from the second vehicle at the first vehicle in response to a trigger event; controlling an operation of one or more vehicles in the vehicle group based at least in part on a determined communications status of a communication network comprising at least one communication device with respect to the command message and the status reply message.

A control system and method for controlling a vehicle includes monitoring movement of the vehicle as the vehicle moves along a route, and determining when the vehicle enters or leaves a designated conditional state. A first fuel efficiency weight and a first emission generation weight are determined based on the first designated conditional state. Responsive to the vehicle entering or leaving the first designated conditional state, an engine performance of the vehicle is changed to move a fuel efficiency of the vehicle toward or away from a first fuel efficiency target based on the first fuel efficiency weight, and to move a generation of an emission constituent of the vehicle toward or away from a first emission generation target based on the first emission generation weight.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of assemblies that may be used for mounting enclosures of portable remote control locomotive (RCL) systems and/or speakers to locomotive handrailing. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of portable remote RCL systems mountable to locomotive handrailing by such assemblies. Additionally, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of audible alert systems including speakers mountable to locomotive handrailing by such assemblies.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of assemblies that may be used for mounting enclosures of portable remote control locomotive (RCL) systems and/or speakers to locomotive handrailing. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of portable remote RCL systems mountable to locomotive handrailing by such assemblies. Additionally, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of audible alert systems including speakers mountable to locomotive handrailing by such assemblies.

A system includes a safety mode activation device disposed onboard a vehicle system and operatively connected to a controller of the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is configured to receive a status signal indicating a presence of one or more of an operator or an active work marker in a location proximate to the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is further configured to transmit a lockout signal to the controller to prevent movement of the vehicle system along a route responsive to receiving the status signal.

A communication system includes a first communication device disposed onboard a displaced vehicle. The first communication device communicates with a second communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system for the lead vehicle to remotely control operation of the vehicle system. The first communication device receives a reconfiguration signal from the second communication device. A remote control (RC) communication device is disposed onboard the first displaced vehicle. The RC communication device wirelessly receives a control signal from an operator control unit (OCU) for the OCU to remotely control the first displaced vehicle. A communication controller reconfigures the RC communication device to repeat the control signal from the OCU responsive to the first communication device of the first displaced vehicle receiving the reconfiguration signal from the second communication device of the lead vehicle or another reconfiguration signal from an off-board or on-board location.

A communication system includes a first communication device disposed onboard a displaced vehicle. The first communication device communicates with a second communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system for the lead vehicle to remotely control operation of the vehicle system. The first communication device receives a reconfiguration signal from the second communication device. A remote control (RC) communication device is disposed onboard the first displaced vehicle. The RC communication device wirelessly receives a control signal from an operator control unit (OCU) for the OCU to remotely control the first displaced vehicle. A communication controller reconfigures the RC communication device to repeat the control signal from the OCU responsive to the first communication device of the first displaced vehicle receiving the reconfiguration signal from the second communication device of the lead vehicle or another reconfiguration signal from an off-board or on-board location.

A system includes one or more processors configured to communicatively link a first operator control unit (OCU) disposed off-board a vehicle system with a vehicle control system (VCS) disposed onboard the vehicle system. The vehicle system is formed from first and second vehicles. The VCS is configured to remotely control movement of the second vehicle from the first vehicle, wherein the one or more processors configured to receive a control signal communicated from the first OCU to a communication device that is onboard the first vehicle. The control signal dictates a change in movement operational setting of the second vehicle. The one or more processors configured to direct the communication device to communicate the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the VCS, wherein movement of the second vehicle is automatically changed responsive to communicating the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle.

A control system receives signals representing a presence and position of a secondary movement system onboard a vehicle. The secondary movement system changes movement of the vehicle without generating thrust or propulsion to move the vehicle. The control system creates a schedule of use of the secondary movement system based on the presence and position of the secondary movement system and controls the secondary movement system based on the schedule that is created.