An intelligent locomotive brake control system which selects and optimizes use of dynamic, independent, and automatic brakes on the locomotive to assure intended brake power, to minimize in-train forces, minimize brake component wear, and to automate standard train brake protocol. The system may be programmed to alter an automatic brake application commanded by a train driver to omit or reduce the amount of the automatic brake application in favor of a dynamic brake application, and independent brake application, or combination thereof.

An intelligent locomotive brake control system which selects and optimizes use of dynamic, independent, and automatic brakes on the locomotive to assure intended brake power, to minimize in-train forces, minimize brake component wear, and to automate standard train brake protocol. The system may be programmed to alter an automatic brake application commanded by a train driver to omit or reduce the amount of the automatic brake application in favor of a dynamic brake application, and independent brake application, or combination thereof.

A control system identifies vehicle systems for combining into a larger convoy. Each the vehicle systems is formed from at least one propulsion-generating vehicle and at least one non-propulsion-generating vehicle. The control system directs the identified vehicle systems to couple with each other for travel as the convoy from a first location toward a different, second location. The control system directs a first vehicle system in the convoy to separate from the convoy and/or a second vehicle system to join the convoy by coupling with at least one of the vehicle systems in the convoy in an intermediate location between the first and second locations. The vehicles in each of the vehicle systems in the convoy remain connected during separation of the first vehicle system from the convoy and/or during joining of the second vehicle system to the convoy.

A control system identifies vehicle systems for combining into a larger convoy. Each the vehicle systems is formed from at least one propulsion-generating vehicle and at least one non-propulsion-generating vehicle. The control system directs the identified vehicle systems to couple with each other for travel as the convoy from a first location toward a different, second location. The control system directs a first vehicle system in the convoy to separate from the convoy and/or a second vehicle system to join the convoy by coupling with at least one of the vehicle systems in the convoy in an intermediate location between the first and second locations. The vehicles in each of the vehicle systems in the convoy remain connected during separation of the first vehicle system from the convoy and/or during joining of the second vehicle system to the convoy.

An intelligent locomotive brake control system which selects and optimizes use of dynamic, independent, and automatic brakes on the locomotive to assure intended brake power, to minimize in-train forces, minimize brake component wear, and to automate standard train brake protocol. The system may be programmed to alter an automatic brake application commanded by a train driver to omit or reduce the amount of the automatic brake application in favor of a dynamic brake application, and independent brake application, or combination thereof.

An intelligent locomotive brake control system which selects and optimizes use of dynamic, independent, and automatic brakes on the locomotive to assure intended brake power, to minimize in-train forces, minimize brake component wear, and to automate standard train brake protocol. The system may be programmed to alter an automatic brake application commanded by a train driver to omit or reduce the amount of the automatic brake application in favor of a dynamic brake application, and independent brake application, or combination thereof.

A vehicle brake system device is provided. The vehicle brake system device includes having a signal input apparatus for inputting request signals from a driver of the vehicle which includes a sensor device which gradually detects a degree of operation of a driver-operated operating element between a position which represents non-operation and a position which represents maximum operation, and generates an operating signal which represents this degree of operation. The signal input apparatus also includes an evaluation electronics system into which the sensor device operating signal is introduced for evaluation purposes. In a switched-off state of a vehicle ignition system the sensor device and/or the evaluation electronics system cyclically assume either a standby mode with reduced electrical energy consumption from an electrical energy source in comparison to an operating mode which prevails in the switched-on state of the vehicle ignition system, the reduced energy consumption is an energy consumption level insufficient to ensure operation of the sensor device and/or the evaluation electronics system for detecting and evaluating operation of the operating element as intended, or assume an energy-saving operating mode which ensures operation of the sensor device and/or of the evaluation electronics system to detect and evaluate operation of the operating element.

A vehicle brake system device is provided. The vehicle brake system device includes having a signal input apparatus for inputting request signals from a driver of the vehicle which includes a sensor device which gradually detects a degree of operation of a driver-operated operating element between a position which represents non-operation and a position which represents maximum operation, and generates an operating signal which represents this degree of operation. The signal input apparatus also includes an evaluation electronics system into which the sensor device operating signal is introduced for evaluation purposes. In a switched-off state of a vehicle ignition system the sensor device and/or the evaluation electronics system cyclically assume either a standby mode with reduced electrical energy consumption from an electrical energy source in comparison to an operating mode which prevails in the switched-on state of the vehicle ignition system, the reduced energy consumption is an energy consumption level insufficient to ensure operation of the sensor device and/or the evaluation electronics system for detecting and evaluating operation of the operating element as intended, or assume an energy-saving operating mode which ensures operation of the sensor device and/or of the evaluation electronics system to detect and evaluate operation of the operating element.