A method for determining a signal aspect representing the vacant or occupied state of a track section for a rail vehicle, in particular a maintenance or construction vehicle, on a CBTC track. In this case, the rail vehicle does not have an on-board CBTC device. In order to dispense with special hardware, an app on a smartphone initiates the following steps: A) photographing of a track beacon in the direction of travel, B) determining the ID (identification signature) of the track beacon, C) transmitting of the track beacon ID to a CBTC track control center and D) receiving of the signal aspect determined by the CBTC track control center for the track section starting with the track beacon.

A control system dictates operational settings of a rail vehicle system based a transitory second speed limit that is no faster than a current first speed limit and which is issued for a determined segment of the track for a determined time period. The control system obtains a current time, determines whether the transitory second speed limit has started, is in effect, or has expired based on the current time relative to the determined time period, and, in response to such determination, performs one or more of (a) generate a prompt to indicate that the determined time period has expired, (b) operate the rail vehicle system at the first speed limit, and/or (c) modify the operational settings of the rail vehicle system to exceed the second speed limit in the determined segment but not exceed the first speed limit for the determined segment.

A control system dictates operational settings of a rail vehicle system based a transitory second speed limit that is no faster than a current first speed limit and which is issued for a determined segment of the track for a determined time period. The control system obtains a current time, determines whether the transitory second speed limit has started, is in effect, or has expired based on the current time relative to the determined time period, and, in response to such determination, performs one or more of (a) generate a prompt to indicate that the determined time period has expired, (b) operate the rail vehicle system at the first speed limit, and/or (c) modify the operational settings of the rail vehicle system to exceed the second speed limit in the determined segment but not exceed the first speed limit for the determined segment.

A mounting apparatus includes a back plate, at least one lower receiving channel adjacent to a lower edge of the back plate and configured to receive a lower holding tab of a line-replaceable unit, at least one upper receiving channel adjacent to an upper edge of the back plate and configured to receive an upper holding tab of the line-replaceable unit, and at least one tensioning member configured to urge the lower holding tab and the upper holding tab into the at least one lower receiving channel and the at least one upper receiving channel, respectively.

A method includes generating a trip plan that dictates operational settings to be implemented by a vehicle system moving along a route. The trip plan is based on a temporary work order issued for a restricted segment of the route. The work order provides a maximum speed through the restricted segment for a limited time period that is expressed using a time standard. One or more of the operational settings of the trip plan specify movement of the vehicle system through the restricted segment at a vehicle speed that is less than or equal to the maximum speed. In response to determining that the temporary work order has expired, the method includes at least one of prompting an operator of the vehicle system to confirm that the work order has expired or generating a new trip plan in which the vehicle system exceeds the maximum speed through the restricted segment.

A method includes generating a trip plan that dictates operational settings to be implemented by a vehicle system moving along a route. The trip plan is based on a temporary work order issued for a restricted segment of the route. The work order provides a maximum speed through the restricted segment for a limited time period that is expressed using a time standard. One or more of the operational settings of the trip plan specify movement of the vehicle system through the restricted segment at a vehicle speed that is less than or equal to the maximum speed. In response to determining that the temporary work order has expired, the method includes at least one of prompting an operator of the vehicle system to confirm that the work order has expired or generating a new trip plan in which the vehicle system exceeds the maximum speed through the restricted segment.

System having one or more processors that are configured to (a) generate, as a vehicle system moves along a route, a plurality of different trial plans for an upcoming segment of the route. The trial plans include potential operational settings of the vehicle system along the route. The one or more processors that are configured to (b) select one of the trial plans as a selected plan or generate the selected plan based on one or more of the trial plans. The selected plan is configured to improve one or more system-handling metrics as the vehicle system moves along the upcoming segment of the route. The one or more processors are configured to (c) communicate instructions to change or not change at least one of the operational settings of the vehicle system based on the selected plan.

System having one or more processors that are configured to (a) generate, as a vehicle system moves along a route, a plurality of different trial plans for an upcoming segment of the route. The trial plans include potential operational settings of the vehicle system along the route. The one or more processors that are configured to (b) select one of the trial plans as a selected plan or generate the selected plan based on one or more of the trial plans. The selected plan is configured to improve one or more system-handling metrics as the vehicle system moves along the upcoming segment of the route. The one or more processors are configured to (c) communicate instructions to change or not change at least one of the operational settings of the vehicle system based on the selected plan.

System having one or more processors that are configured to (a) generate, as a vehicle system moves along a route, a plurality of different trial plans for an upcoming segment of the route. The trial plans include potential operational settings of the vehicle system along the route. The one or more processors that are configured to (b) select one of the trial plans as a selected plan or generate the selected plan based on one or more of the trial plans. The selected plan is configured to improve one or more system-handling metrics as the vehicle system moves along the upcoming segment of the route. The one or more processors are configured to (c) communicate instructions to change or not change at least one of the operational settings of the vehicle system based on the selected plan.

System having one or more processors that are configured to (a) generate, as a vehicle system moves along a route, a plurality of different trial plans for an upcoming segment of the route. The trial plans include potential operational settings of the vehicle system along the route. The one or more processors that are configured to (b) select one of the trial plans as a selected plan or generate the selected plan based on one or more of the trial plans. The selected plan is configured to improve one or more system-handling metrics as the vehicle system moves along the upcoming segment of the route. The one or more processors are configured to (c) communicate instructions to change or not change at least one of the operational settings of the vehicle system based on the selected plan.