In one example, a wayside device monitoring system is provided. The system may include a wayside device and a controller. The wayside device may detect one or more operating parameters of a vehicle in a vehicle system moving over a route segment. The controller can receive information from the wayside device regarding at least the one or more operating parameters detected, and can control movement the vehicle directly or indirectly based at least in part on the received information.

A vehicle control system and method wirelessly communicate from at least one wireless transmitter positioned proximate a route crossing to a wireless receiver of a vehicle via a wireless wayside transceiver. The system and method communicate an indication of whether the route crossing is clear for passage of the vehicle through the route crossing. The system and method receive the indication by the wireless transmitter and using the vehicle receiver. A vehicle controller or an operator of the vehicle can determine whether it is safe for the vehicle to travel through the route crossing based on the indication received by the vehicle receiver from the portable transmitter. The vehicle can then be operated based on the determination.

A vehicle control system and method wirelessly communicate from at least one wireless transmitter positioned proximate a route crossing to a wireless receiver of a vehicle via a wireless wayside transceiver. The system and method communicate an indication of whether the route crossing is clear for passage of the vehicle through the route crossing. The system and method receive the indication by the wireless transmitter and using the vehicle receiver. A vehicle controller or an operator of the vehicle can determine whether it is safe for the vehicle to travel through the route crossing based on the indication received by the vehicle receiver from the portable transmitter. The vehicle can then be operated based on the determination.

In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a controller, a first wind direction relative to a first vehicle and determining, by the controller, a first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method also includes calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind direction relative to ground using the first wind direction relative to the first vehicle and calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind speed relative to the ground using the first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method further includes calculating, by the controller, a second wind direction relative to a second vehicle using the absolute wind direction and calculating, by the controller, a second wind speed relative to the second vehicle using the absolute wind speed. A front end of the first vehicle and a front end of the second vehicle face different directions.

In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a controller, a first wind direction relative to a first vehicle and determining, by the controller, a first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method also includes calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind direction relative to ground using the first wind direction relative to the first vehicle and calculating, by the controller, an absolute wind speed relative to the ground using the first wind speed relative to the first vehicle. The method further includes calculating, by the controller, a second wind direction relative to a second vehicle using the absolute wind direction and calculating, by the controller, a second wind speed relative to the second vehicle using the absolute wind speed. A front end of the first vehicle and a front end of the second vehicle face different directions.

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 are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.

A temporary train speed restriction management method and system. Temporary speed restriction instructions are managed by adopting a uniform session management framework. The temporary speed restriction instructions in a session are uniformly processed in a session closing stage. The availability of a communication link is detected. The method and system performs life cycle management on the temporary speed restriction instructions by adding a timeliness mechanism for the message.

A temporary train speed restriction management method and system. Temporary speed restriction instructions are managed by adopting a uniform session management framework. The temporary speed restriction instructions in a session are uniformly processed in a session closing stage. The availability of a communication link is detected. The method and system performs life cycle management on the temporary speed restriction instructions by adding a timeliness mechanism for the message.

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.