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 includes a control system used to control operation of a vehicle system as the vehicle system moves along a route. The vehicle system includes a plurality of system vehicles in which adjacent system vehicles are operatively coupled such that the adjacent system vehicles are permitted to move relative to one another. The control system includes one or more processors that are configured to (a) receive operational settings of the vehicle system and (b) input the operational settings into a system model of the vehicle system to determine an observed metric of the vehicle system. The one or more processors are also configured to (c) compare the observed metric to a reference metric and (d) modify the operational settings of the vehicle system based on differences between the observed and the reference metrics.

A work vehicle control system includes an on-board communication controller for requesting, while a current travel position indicates that the work vehicle travels in a predetermined first block section of a travel path, a travel permission request signal for permitting travel in a second block section located next to the first block section from an on-board wireless controller. The on-board communication controller, respectively coupled to an on-board wireless controller and a GPS device, changes an interval of requesting the travel permission signal in accordance with a remaining distance to an emergency stop point in the case where it is determined from a current travel position detected by the GPS device that the work vehicle is traveling in the first block section and a control center is controlling travel of the work vehicle.

A method of operating a railway vehicle on a network of tracks forming one or more vehicle routes, includes providing: vehicle status information including the present track location of the vehicle, the route to be taken by the vehicle and operation profile information relating vehicle operational recommendations and/or requirements to track locations and to vehicle routes; and determining operational risks for the vehicle from the vehicle status information, the route to be taken by the vehicle and the operation profile information, each operational risk being the likelihood of future vehicle operation departing from the operation profile information at a given section of track or a given location on the route. Advisory notices for a driver of the vehicle are generated on the basis of the operational risks, and each advisory notice, when acted on by the driver, reduces the likelihood of future vehicle operation departing from the operation profile information.

An apparatus for generating action recommendations for the driver of a rail vehicle includes a device that can be carried by the driver in order to provide a type of apparatus that can be retrofitted quickly and easily to an existing rail vehicle. The device has at least one data interface unit for receiving basic data, a memory unit for storing at least one program module, a processing unit provided for executing the program module in order to generate the action recommendations at least on the basis of the basic data, and an output unit for outputting the action recommendations. A rail vehicle having the apparatus is also provided.

A train control unit may comprise a probe attached to a first rail of a track way, and a sensor device attached to a second rail of the track way configured to determine the position of the probe, whereby the position of the first rail relative to the second rail may be determined. The train control unit is preferably independent of equipment controlling the position of the first and second rails. Some embodiments of the train control unit may be employed as a track monitor, a switch monitor and/or a wayside monitor.

A method for measuring a parameter relevant to a journey of a rail vehicle. A parameter measurement value is determined using a control loop. A vehicle-side torque acting on a rotational part on the vehicle side is ascertained. A calculation module uses the vehicle-side torque value and a frictional engagement torque acting between the rotational part and a rail, to calculate a rotational acceleration of the rotational part and an expected rotational speed. A difference between the rotational estimated value and an actual rotational speed is supplied to a control device which outputs a controller output value at the output side. A frictional engagement torque value is recalculated with the controller output value and is coupled back into the computer module to close the control loop. The controller output and/or the recalculated frictional engagement torque value is considered the parameter measurement value, which is stored or output.

A control system for a vehicle includes a first controller, a second controller, and an auto-tuner. The first controller is configured to generate an optimal trajectory of the vehicle along a path. The second controller is configured to, based on the optimal trajectory generated by the first controller, generate motoring and braking commands to a motoring and braking system of the vehicle for controlling the vehicle to travel along the path. The auto-tuner includes a processor configured to solve a real-time optimization problem to determine at least one parameter of at least one of the first controller or the second controller.

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 train speed profiling system for use in connection with a train management system that can generate a virtual profile of a predetermined route having an estimated time of arrival at a destination based on data specific to the route and the actual train that will travel on the route. The virtual profile may be adjusted for any acceleration and any deceleration required by the train, and then optimized for reduced fuel consumption by reducing braking effort and improving coasting opportunities over the route if the estimated time of arrival is earlier than a desired time of arrival. The virtual profile may further be conformed so that the estimate time of arrival matches the desired time of arrival within a narrow threshold.