A vehicle communication system includes a central device and an on-vehicle device. A path determiner of the central device determines an information transmission path between a plurality of vehicles for consolidating information in a vehicle that performs a wireless communication with a terrestrial communication device out of the vehicles based on at least operating information on the vehicles. An on-vehicle communicator of the on-vehicle device acquires the information transmission path directly from the central device via the terrestrial communication device or indirectly from the central device via the terrestrial communication device and a second vehicle, and transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the terrestrial communication device or the second vehicle based on the acquired information transmission path.

A positive train control system and method may comprise one or more switch monitors and/or one or more track monitors providing sensor data relative to one or more switches and/or one or more tracks, respectively, determining whether there is an anomaly of a switch or track, and when there is, providing a message, alert and/or warning, and/or initiating a train control action. Determination of an anomaly may be preformed on a train or at a remote location, e.g., a central facility.

A system for testing trainline communications includes a command test box, a remote test box, and a controller. The command test box is coupled to a first electric coupler at a first end of a consist including one or more cars of a railroad train. The command test box applies a test signal to the first electric coupler and wirelessly transmits an indication of the test signal. The remote test box is coupled to a second electric coupler at a second end of the consist, and determines whether the test signal is present at the second electric coupler and wirelessly transmits an indication of the test signal. The controller communicates wirelessly with the test boxes to determine whether the test signal has successfully traversed the consist.

A vehicle control system includes a controller that communicates between a first vehicle and a second vehicle and/or a monitoring device in a vehicle system. The controller determines a communication loss and, responsive to determining the communication loss, switches to communicating via a different communication path. The controller also determines an operational restriction on movement of the vehicle system based on the communication loss that is determined, obtains a transitional plan that designates operational settings of the vehicle system at one or more different locations along a route being traveled by the vehicle system, different distances along the route being traveled by the vehicle system, and/or different times. The controller automatically changes the movement of the vehicle system according to the operational settings designated by the transitional plan to reduce the movement of the vehicle system to or below the operational restriction.

Apparatuses, systems, methods, and software for train control and tracking using multi sensors, SSD/QR signs, and/or RF reflectors are disclosed, which enable determination of train location on a guideway, train movement authority, train length, and coupler status of each vehicle (married pair) and the consist (integrity) of the train.

A non-stop train system including a plurality of train cars in communication with one another and in communication with an electronic control module. The train system further includes a track having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped on the track at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches the drop off and pick up location on the track initiating the prepositioned train car to begin departure. The electronic control module is used to adjust the speed of the non-stop express train and the prepositioned train car based on a detected distance such that a front coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the rear coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.

A device for monitoring operation parameters of a vehicle axle including a measuring instrument (1) comprising at least a position sensor, a device (2) for communication of measured quantities to an external device, a mechanism (5) for conversion of mechanical energy of the axle to electrical energy and a memory (3) with a stored identification code. A device has the shape of a ring (4) that is applied on the vehicle axle in such a way that it encircles it. The ring (4) consists of at least two parts (4a, 4b) that are adapted for permanent connection around the vehicle axle. The mechanism (5) consists of a circumferential cavity (5a) in the inner part of the ring where a permanent magnet (5b) is freely positioned, at least one coil (5c), preferably four coils (5c) being positioned along its perimeter. The device (2) for communication of measured quantities is a wireless transmitter with a GSM interface or radio-frequency interface configured for communication of measured values together with the identification code (3) of the axle to an external processing unit.

A system is provided that include at least one positioning system that can detect a location or position of a vehicle or a portion of a vehicle group that includes the vehicle, at least one sensor positioned on or associated with the vehicle that can generate sensor data of a determined parameter or condition, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the positioning system. The controller can determine that a hazard event has occurred based at least partially on sensor data, and can communicate a hazard event notification based at least in part on the location data and the sensor data to a remote server.

A system is provided that may include a first communication controller that may communicate with a vehicle system formed from two or more vehicles. The first communication controller may operate in different modes, including a first mode to control movement of the vehicle system without repeating any control signals communicated between the vehicles, and in a second mode to monitor different frequencies for receipt of the control signals, receive and repeat a first control signal of the control signals at a first frequency, and receive and repeats a second control signal of the control signals at a second frequency. The first communication controller may also operate in a third mode in which the first communication controller may monitor the first frequency but not the second frequency for the first control signal, receives the first control signal at the first frequency, and repeats the first control signal at the first frequency.

A system and method for managing operations of a train relative to a fouling mark is disclosed. The system comprises one or more sources, an End-of-Train device mounted at a rear-end of the train, and a Head-of-Train device mounted at a front-end of the train communicatively coupled to the End-of-train device and the one or more sources. The Head-of-Train device is configured to detect the fouling mark based on inputs from the one or more sources. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark, upon detecting the fouling mark. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to identify one or more actions to be performed using a predefined logic, before the train clears the fouling mark. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to execute one or more machine-readable instructions for performing the one or more actions identified.