A train operation control apparatus mounted on a train includes: a non-contact range sensor that measures a first train interval between a rear end of a preceding train traveling ahead of the train and a head of the train; another non-contact range sensor that measures a second train interval between a head of a following train traveling behind the train and a rear end of the train; and on-board control transmission apparatus that, when being instructed to start control using the second train interval, controls operation of the train using the second train interval on the basis of an instruction from an operation management apparatus that controls operation of a plurality of trains including the train, the preceding train, and the following train.

A train control system may include a data acquisition hub connected to a database and sensors associated with one or more locomotives, systems, or components of a train and configured to acquire data in association with inputs derived from contextual data relating to a plurality of trains being operated by experienced train engineers under a variety of different conditions and in different geographical areas for use as training data. A machine learning engine of the train control system may receive the training data from the data acquisition hub, encode a modified learning function as a statistical model of desirable train handling behavior, evaluate train handling behavior by comparing to the statistical model, and update a certification of one or more of a train engineer, a semi-autonomous control system, or a fully autonomous control system.

A system is provided that may include a controller having one or more processors. The one or more processors may control movement of a vehicle system along a route, and determine a restriction in speed of the vehicle system at a switch point. The one or more processors may determine a direction of movement of the vehicle system based on the restriction in the speed at the switch point.

An electronic train device suitable of use on a railway vehicle includes a radio module configured, through operation of at least one processor, to support and monitor a plurality of communication channels for messages transmitted between multiple electronic train devices on multiple railway vehicles, and to repeat and/or route a transmitted message using a channel of the plurality of communication channels to provide reliable communication between the multiple electronic train devices.

A monitoring and surveillance system arranged for processing video data associated with a vehicle, wherein said system is arranged to operate in at least two operating modi, a first modus of said two modi being associated with a first latency requirement for said video data and a second modus of said two modi being associated with a second latency requirement, said system comprising a camera unit, arranged to be installed in said vehicle, wherein said camera unit is arranged for capturing video data; a streaming unit, arranged to be installed in said vehicle, and arranged for receiving said video data and for transmitting said video data over a telecommunication network to a video processing server; said video processing server arranged for selecting a modus of said at least two operating modi, and for communicating said selected modus, over said telecommunication network, to said camera unit such that said streaming unit can be tuned to said selected modus. Complementary systems and methods are also presented herein.

A train control system includes independent virtual in-train forces modelling engines onboard each of a plurality of locomotives in a train. Each of the plurality of locomotives may also include an analytics engine and a calibration engine configured to assimilate, analyze, and calibrate real time information from other locomotives and from draft gears and couplers interconnecting the locomotives with determinations made by the independent virtual in-train forces modelling engine onboard the respective locomotive, with the plurality of locomotives of the train being configured to operate collectively and coordinate their own acceleration values based on a common goal of minimizing in-train forces without being dependent on a command from a lead locomotive or central command.

A system and method for monitoring failure of a train within a tunnel is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by the central server, an estimated crossing time for the train to cross the tunnel and the latest location of the train from a telemetry system onboard the train. The telemetry system comprises a Head-of-Train device communicatively coupled to an End-of-Train device. The method further comprises detecting a failure event associated with the train, by the central server, if an attempt to establish communication with the telemetry system is unsuccessful after the estimated crossing time. The method further comprises broadcasting, by the central server, an emergency alert message indicating the failure event to one or more receiving devices based on the latest location of the train. The receiving device is associated with at least one of an operator control station and an adjacent train.

An automatic train communications system includes a plurality of electronic train devices and a multi-channel communications network, wherein each electronic train device comprises a radio module configured to support a plurality of communications protocols and a plurality of frequency bands, and select a communications protocol and/or a frequency band from the plurality of communications protocols and frequency bands based on at least one performance criterium to reliably communicate with one or more electronic train devices via the multi-channel communications network.

A solution is disclosed related to hyperloop vehicle communication using a transponder system. The transponder system comprises a plurality of transponder subnetwork controllers configured to provide one or more pluralities of transponders with connectivity. The pluralities of transponders are disposed at intervals such that the failure of a particular transponder is mitigated based on the interval of the transponders along with the connectivity of the supporting transponder subnetwork controllers. A hyperloop vehicle is configured to interact with the transponder system such that vehicle-side safety systems may rely on the transponder system as configured. The disclosed solution provides for enhanced traffic safety for hyperloop passengers and/or cargo, thus enabling green transportation.

Various embodiments of an autonomous rail vehicle that can travel ahead of a locomotive at a distance proportional to the locomotive's stopping capability are disclosed. The rail vehicle may scan its surroundings, gauges track conditions, and communicates with locomotive operators of the scanned results in real-time to timely enable activation of the locomotive's emergency brakes in case of detection of off-normal track conditions. The rail vehicle may paired with the locomotive and provides eyes to locomotive operators so that they can have information on tracks viability well ahead of the locomotive.