A method for odometric monitoring of a rail vehicle includes recording measured values with a sensor in the rail vehicle, and calculating location information and/or speed information from the measured values. The measured values and/or the location information and/or the speed information is stored, and patterns for the measured values and/or the location information and/or the speed information are generated by evaluating the already acquired measured values and/or the location information and/or the speed information. The currently acquired measured values and/or the location information and/or the speed information are synchronized with at least one pattern, and the occurrence of deviations from the patterns is output via an interface. A rail vehicle, a control center, a computer program product and a provision apparatus for the computer program product are also provided.

Examples of techniques for vital train tracking using an ultra-wideband ranging system are disclosed. The system includes a train disposed on a track, the train having at least two onboard UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a plurality of wayside UWB beacons disposed along the track, a subset of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons being connected to a wayside communications network, wherein at least two of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons are configured to receive the unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a central computer in communication with the wayside communications network, wherein the central computer is configured to determine a position of the train on the track based at least in part upon known location of the at least two wayside UWB beacons.

Systems and methods for detecting or predicting potential collisions between vehicles are provided. The systems and methods may receive sensor output indicative of a location, a heading, and/or a moving speed of a first vehicle and/or a second vehicle. The systems and methods may predict a collision between the vehicles at an intersection between routes based on the received sensor output. The systems and methods may change movement of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle responsive to predicting the collision.

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.

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.

A control system includes a first vehicle controller configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle system moving along route segments and to receive a conditional movement authority that has a condition to be met before the first vehicle system can travel into a designated route segment of the route segments. The first vehicle controller is configured to communicate with a separate, second vehicle system to determine a state of the second vehicle system. The first vehicle controller is configured to determine whether the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority. The first vehicle controller also is configured to permit movement of the first vehicle system into the designated route segment responsive to determining that the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority.

A control system includes a first vehicle controller configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle system moving along route segments and to receive a conditional movement authority that has a condition to be met before the first vehicle system can travel into a designated route segment of the route segments. The first vehicle controller is configured to communicate with a separate, second vehicle system to determine a state of the second vehicle system. The first vehicle controller is configured to determine whether the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority. The first vehicle controller also is configured to permit movement of the first vehicle system into the designated route segment responsive to determining that the state of the second vehicle system satisfies the condition of the conditional movement authority.

A method may include determining time-variable risk profiles for plural separate vehicle systems that are remotely controlled by operators that are located off-board the separate vehicle systems. The time-variable risk profiles represent one or more risks to travel of the separate vehicle systems. The method may include assigning the operators to remotely monitor or control the separate vehicle systems during the trips based on the time-variable risk profiles. The operator assigned changes with respect to time while the one or more separate vehicle systems is moving along one or more routes during the trip. A system may include one or more processors that may determine time-variable risk profiles for plural separate vehicle systems that are remotely controlled and assign the operators to remotely monitor or control the separate vehicle systems during the trips based on the time-variable risk profiles.

A set of stators of a linear induction motor are mounted on a track. A three-phase current is provided to each of the stators, such that a traveling magnetic field (TMF) is created by the stators along the length of the track. The traveling magnetic field includes a magnetic flux corresponding to a stator excitation modulated with a message signal. A rotor includes a series of conductor plates. As the traveling magnetic field passes through the conductor plates, a current is induced in the plates by induction. Such current then generates an opposing magnetic field causing the plates and the vehicle to be propelled. Each phase may first be modulated with a message signal, before being provided to the stator. The current at the rotor is then demodulated to realize the message signal. A doppler shift due to the speed of the rotor relative to the stator is corrected.

A first locomotive that includes a control unit is disclosed. The control unit may receive a power demand, determine a first power limit of the first locomotive, and receive a second power limit of a second locomotive and a third power limit of a third locomotive. The control unit may proportion the power demand into a first power allocation for the first locomotive, a second power allocation for the second locomotive, and a third power allocation for the third locomotive. The control unit may adjust the first power allocation based on the first power limit, adjust the second power allocation based on the second power limit, and adjust the third power allocation based on the third power limit. The control unit may cause an action to be performed in connection with the first power allocation, the second power allocation, and the third power allocation.