A system and method for automatically communicating an identification signal from a vehicle controller of a vehicle that may include receiving trip data from a dispatch controller based on the identification signal that is communicated. Software of the vehicle controller may be updated at a determined time based on the trip data that is received, and movement of the vehicle may be controlled based on movement allowance signals received by the vehicle controller and used by the software of the vehicle controller during the movement of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is permitted to enter into segments of one or more routes.

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).

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).

A method for operating a rail vehicle includes transmitting an identifier for a software component and/or an identifier for a hardware component of a control system of a rail vehicle. The identifier is transmitted from a computation unit of the rail vehicle to a stationary central computation unit, at least at one predetermined point in time.

A method is provided for operating a railway network having a number of trains, the method comprises operating a scheduling machine that is in communication with the railway network over a data communication system, to receive time separated state data defining states of the railway network at respective times. The scheduling machine accesses a model of the railway network that is stored in an electronic data source. The model defines locations in the railway network that allows for passing of trains and paths for journeys of each of the trains. The method includes operating the scheduling machine to apply the state data to the model to determine, at each of the respective times, controls associated with each trains' path for each of the trains. The scheduling machine is operated to determine the controls by optimizing a objective function for the trains, such as minimizing total travel time of the trains, taking into account the locations in the network, positions of the trains and paths of each of the trains. The controls are transmitted, via the data communication system, to control movement of the trains, for example by operation of railway network switches (points) and signal lights, through the railway network based on the controls.

A method is provided for operating a railway network having a number of trains, the method comprises operating a scheduling machine that is in communication with the railway network over a data communication system, to receive time separated state data defining states of the railway network at respective times. The scheduling machine accesses a model of the railway network that is stored in an electronic data source. The model defines locations in the railway network that allows for passing of trains and paths for journeys of each of the trains. The method includes operating the scheduling machine to apply the state data to the model to determine, at each of the respective times, controls associated with each trains' path for each of the trains. The scheduling machine is operated to determine the controls by optimizing a objective function for the trains, such as minimizing total travel time of the trains, taking into account the locations in the network, positions of the trains and paths of each of the trains. The controls are transmitted, via the data communication system, to control movement of the trains, for example by operation of railway network switches (points) and signal lights, through the railway network based on the controls.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of vision-based systems and methods for locomotive control and/or location determination. In exemplary embodiments, a system includes at least one camera positionable onboard a locomotive for capturing one or more images of trackside signage including location data corresponding with location(s) along a track. The system also includes at least one processor configured for communication with the at least one camera for receiving the one or more images of the trackside signage captured by the at least one camera. The at least one processor is configured to analyze the one or more images and visually recognize the location data of the trackside signage in the one or more images captured by the at least one camera, thereby enabling the system to identify the locomotive's location along the track via the at least one processor's visual recognition of the location data of the trackside signage.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of vision-based systems and methods for locomotive control and/or location determination. In exemplary embodiments, a system includes at least one camera positionable onboard a locomotive for capturing one or more images of trackside signage including location data corresponding with location(s) along a track. The system also includes at least one processor configured for communication with the at least one camera for receiving the one or more images of the trackside signage captured by the at least one camera. The at least one processor is configured to analyze the one or more images and visually recognize the location data of the trackside signage in the one or more images captured by the at least one camera, thereby enabling the system to identify the locomotive's location along the track via the at least one processor's visual recognition of the location data of the trackside signage.

A method operates a track-bound traffic system which carries out a determination that a first track section part lying between a track-bound vehicle and a second track section is free of vehicles. A track-side device disposed in a first track section at a distance to an adjacent second track section, transmits status information which characterizes the second track section as being free of track-bound vehicles, and the transmitted status information is received by a vehicle traversing the first track section. The distance is measured such that no other track-bound vehicle fits in a first track section part lying between the track-bound vehicle and the second track section when the track-bound vehicle receives the status information, and the first track section part lying between the track-bound vehicle and the second track section is identified as being free of other track-bound vehicles by the track-bound vehicle based on the received status information.

A method operates a track-bound traffic system which carries out a determination that a first track section part lying between a track-bound vehicle and a second track section is free of vehicles. A track-side device disposed in a first track section at a distance to an adjacent second track section, transmits status information which characterizes the second track section as being free of track-bound vehicles, and the transmitted status information is received by a vehicle traversing the first track section. The distance is measured such that no other track-bound vehicle fits in a first track section part lying between the track-bound vehicle and the second track section when the track-bound vehicle receives the status information, and the first track section part lying between the track-bound vehicle and the second track section is identified as being free of other track-bound vehicles by the track-bound vehicle based on the received status information.