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 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 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 includes a track or any number of parallel tracks having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches and passes by 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 rear coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the front coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.

The system can include a dispatcher and a plurality of cars. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system 100 functions to enable platooning of the plurality of cars (e.g., by way of the method S100).

When an event prevents a train from moving along a route in a nominal direction, this method makes it possible to cause it to circulate in an opposite direction by: selecting (120) an origin zone and an output signal; drawing (130) a pseudo-route on the successive zones between the origin zone and the output signal; opening (140) the pseudo-route by associating a sub-route with each zone, corresponding to the reservation of said zone for said train; informing (150) the train that it must circulate in the opposite direction; determining (160) a movement authorization for the train from sub-routes that are open and a list of obstacles that is updated regularly; sending (180) the movement authorization to the train, the determination (160) and transmission (170) steps being iterated until the train crosses the output signal.

When an event prevents a train from moving along a route in a nominal direction, this method makes it possible to cause it to circulate in an opposite direction by: selecting (120) an origin zone and an output signal; drawing (130) a pseudo-route on the successive zones between the origin zone and the output signal; opening (140) the pseudo-route by associating a sub-route with each zone, corresponding to the reservation of said zone for said train; informing (150) the train that it must circulate in the opposite direction; determining (160) a movement authorization for the train from sub-routes that are open and a list of obstacles that is updated regularly; sending (180) the movement authorization to the train, the determination (160) and transmission (170) steps being iterated until the train crosses the output signal.

A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.

A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.

An off-shore port system includes a land-based port infrastructure area, an off-shore cargo ship docking area located in a body of water, and a transportation system having at least one tube connecting the land-based port infrastructure area and the off-shore cargo ship docking area.

An off-shore port system includes a land-based port infrastructure area, an off-shore cargo ship docking area located in a body of water, and a transportation system having at least one tube connecting the land-based port infrastructure area and the off-shore cargo ship docking area.