A system includes a route examining system and an off-board failsafe controller. The route examining system is configured to examine a route on which a first vehicle system is moving and to generate an inspection signal based on the route examination. The inspection signal indicates a status of a segment of the route as damaged or undamaged. The off-board failsafe controller is configured to receive the inspection signal from the route examining system. Responsive to a lack of receipt of the inspection signal within a designated time period which indicates communication loss with the route examining system, the failsafe controller is configured to generate a warning signal for communication to a second vehicle system. The warning signal is generated to direct the second vehicle system to (i) avoid traveling over the route segment or (ii) travel over the route segment or another route segment at a reduced speed.

A device configured to process data comprised in data messages passing on message buses of a rolling stock comprises: a universal input interface receiving data messages complying with the three following physical layers: RS232; RS485; CAN. From the message buses, the data messages comprise data; a processing engine receiving a remote requested configuration comprising one or more processing rules; a standardizing unit decoding the data messages into standardized data streams in function of the remote requested configuration; and wherein the processing engine further applies one or more of the one or more processing rules of the standardized data streams in function of the remote requested configuration.

Method and apparatus are disclosed to facilitate mitigation of vehicle trapping on railroad crossings. An example vehicle comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, sensors, a transceiver, a processor and a memory. The GPS receiver generates location information. The sensors generate vehicle information. The processor and memory are in communication with the sensors, the GPS receiver, and the transceiver. The processor is configured to: determine whether the vehicle is stranded on a railroad crossing using the location information and the vehicle information; if the vehicle is stranded, generate a help request; and transmit the help request to neighboring vehicles.

A car monitoring system includes: a sub-system to execute a predetermined function by controlling at least one instrument mounted on a railcar; and a monitoring device to monitor an operating state of the sub-system. The sub-system includes: a sub-system controller to create status data containing pieces of event information based on a signal output from the instrument and periodically transmit the status data to the monitoring device, the information informing the monitoring device of a change in state of the instrument; and a first memory to store a first event parameter file defines a data structure of an event region of the status data, the event region being a region wherein the information are stored. When the first parameter file is changed, and the sub-system controller creates the status data, the controller reconstructs the data structure of the region and resets the information in accordance with the reconstructed data structure.

A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications.

The invention relates a device (10) for data and/or signal transmission between two adjacent units of a multi-membered, track-guided vehicle combination, wherein the device (10) comprises at least one emitter (11) for emitting electromagnetic radiation as needed. According to the invention, the at least one emitter (11) is integrated into a lamp module (1) which is designed to be installed in a front region of a vehicle (A, B) of the multi-membered vehicle combination.

A train control system configured to automatically execute and ensure compliance with all requirements for radio blocking. A radio blocking module of the physical train control system of a lead train retrieves and displays the appropriate clearance points for acceptance by the train driver of the lead train. Once accepted, the clearance points are transmitted to a trailing train for display and acceptance by the train driver of the trailing train. An accepted clearance point is passed to the train control system for use as the next destination point for navigation purposes. The train control system can also electronically log all acts to comply with applicable radio blocking requirements.

A system for the supraregional operation of a vehicle includes at least one control device. A first vehicle bus can be connected to the control device, wherein a defined number of first control apparatuses can be connected to the first vehicle bus; and a second vehicle bus can be connected to the control device, wherein a defined number of second control apparatuses can be connected to the second vehicle bus. The control device provides for a defined minimum functionality during a moving transition of the vehicle from a defined first region into a defined second region. The control device changes a functionality for the second control apparatuses during the moving transition from the first region into the second region, and the control device is configured to control the coordination of the changing of the functionality of the second control apparatuses.

A device for attachment to a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car in a track network having a plurality of tracks is disclosed. The device may include at least one sensor. The sensor(s) may be disposed with the rear car. The sensor(s) may be configured to generate sensor data associated with at least one of a heading of the rear car of the train or a distance between the rear car of the train and an object in the track network. A communication interface may be configured to transmit the sensor data to at least one receiver. The receiver(s) may provide at least one indication based on the sensor data. A device for use onboard the train, a control system, a method for operating the device(s), and a method for coupling the train to a separate car are also disclosed.

In an example, the autonomous vehicle (AV) can be configured among the other vehicles and railway to communicate with a rider on a peer to peer basis to pick up the rider on demand from a location on a track, like a railway, tram or other track, rather than the rider being held hostage to a fixed railway schedule. The rider can have an application on his/her cell phone, which tracks each of the AVs, and contact them using the application on the cell phone. In an example, the AV is configured for both on-track and off track operation with different operating parameters for on-track and off track, including speed, degree of autonomy, sensors used etc.