162results about "Classification yard switching systems" patented technology

An information system and method provides information to an operator of a motor vehicle. A destination location and a current position of the motor vehicle are established. A planned route is established as a function of the destination location and the current position, and at least one required parameter of the vehicle.

A high capacity, multiple-stage railway car switching yard connects together two or more subyards. Each subyard has a fully open arrival / departure end and may have a continuously descending gradient throughout the entire length of its classification tracks. The subyards are positioned opposite one another, so classification tracks of one subyard can serve as receiving tracks for another subyard. Escape tracks are interconnected between the two subyards to provide a higher capacity and more efficiency and flexibility than a single yard by itself.

A method and system (10) for self-directed operation of a locomotive (12) in a rail yard (82) using a control system (64) on the locomotive for controlling locomotive operations. The method includes establishing at least one operational area (e.g. 74, 76, 78) within the rail yard and associating an operational parameter with each area. The method also includes operating the locomotive using the control system and sensing a location of the locomotive within an operational area. The method further includes determining whether the locomotive is operating within the operational parameter established for the area of its location. If the locomotive is determined not to be operating within the operational parameter, an operation of the locomotive is automatically controlled to operate within the respective operational parameter, without operator input to the control system. The system includes a location detector (62) in communication with the control system to automatically control locomotive operation.

A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, the method comprising: creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch; associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database; receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to an asset within the rail yard; comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and presenting a graphical representation of the location of the asset on the map along with the yard process steps associated with the track section occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is received within a time period to allow the graphical presentation to be used in a management decision corresponding to the asset.

A high capacity, multiple-stage railway car switching yard connects together two or more subyards. Each subyard has a fully open arrival / departure end and may have a continuously descending gradient throughout the entire length of its classification tracks. The subyards are positioned opposite one another, so classification tracks of one subyard can serve as receiving tracks for another subyard. Escape tracks are interconnected between the two subyards to provide a higher capacity and more efficiency and flexibility than a single yard by itself.

A rail car sensor network, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes at least one rail car having a main body portion including a first and section, a second end section and an intermediate portion. The rail car network further includes a sensor assembly mounted to the rail car. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor positioned to detect a rail car parameter, and a wireless communication device configured to transmit data corresponding to the rail car parameter. A receiver assembly, mounted remote from the at least one rail car, includes a wireless communication monitor configured to receive the data corresponding to the rail car parameter from the wireless communication device.

A method and system for coordinating the transfer of control of a remotely controlled locomotive is disclosed. The generation and assignment of command authority between remote controllers is accomplished by signal transfer between the remote controllers themselves, in contrast to a system that requires the use of a slave controller to determine, assign, and / or transfer command authority. In an exemplary embodiment, a transfer request is transmitted from a first control unit to a second control unit, the first control unit initially having a command authority. An acceptance of the transfer request is transmitted from the second control unit to the first control unit, and a confirmation of transfer is transmitted from the first control unit to the second control unit. Following the transmission of the confirmation of transfer from the first control unit to the second control unit, the second control unit assumes the command authority from the first control unit.

A sensor node configured to acquire sensor data on one or more properties of a railroad environment, wirelessly transmit data related to the property(ies), and generate sufficient power to operate the sensor node without access to any additional power sources is provided. The sensor node can be deployed as part of a group of sensor nodes, which provide data for use by a railroad system in monitoring and / or controlling the railroad environment. In this manner, various properties of the railroad environment can be monitored without requiring significant wiring to the various sensor nodes.

A system (10) for generating a rail yard switch list (e.g., 30) of switch positioning activities for efficient movement of a railyard operator (12). The system includes a first operator control unit (14) (OCU) having a locator (16) for determining a location of the OCU and an associated operator using the OCU during rail yard switching activities. The system also includes a first processor (28) for correlating the rail yard switching activities with a respective location of the OCU in the rail yard to establish a knowledge base of respective preferred locations in the rail yard, and a memory (e.g. 26) for storing the knowledge base of preferred locations in the railyard. The system further includes a second processor (27) for receiving a request (32) for a switch list, accessing the memory, and processing the request based on the knowledge base to generate a switch list.

<heading lvl="0">Abstract of Disclosure< / heading> A method for managing railcar movement in a railyard based on the flow of railyard tasks, using a system that includes a computer including a processor, a memory device, and a database. The railyard includes six subyards including a surge yard, a receiving yard, a receiving inspected (RI) yard, a classification yard, a departure yard and a departure inspected (DI) yard. The method uses initial parameters, input to the computer, to simulate railyard task flow utilizing a yard performance model. Based on the simulation, the method determines if a train schedule can be met.

A model train accessory controller is connectable to a DC power pack having a throttle to apply a power signal to a set of train tracks. The controller includes a switching device, which is in electrical communication with the power pack and the train tracks, to reverse a polarity of the power signal on the train tracks. The controller includes an input, and a processor in electrical communication with the switching device. The processor receives a command from the input to produce, by control of the switching device, a digital command having a series of sequential reversals in the polarity of the power signal.

A method for managing railcar movement in a railyard based on the flow of railyard tasks, using a system that includes a computer including a processor, a memory device, and a database. The railyard includes six subyards including a surge yard, a receiving yard, a receiving inspected (RI) yard, a classification yard, a departure yard and a departure inspected (DI) yard. The method uses initial parameters, input to the computer, to simulate railyard task flow utilizing a yard performance model. Based on the simulation, the method determines if a train schedule can be met.

A method includes, responsive to a determination that a first vehicle system to be received in a vehicle yard is longer than a length of a receiving route of the vehicle yard that is designated for receiving the first vehicle system, processing a first movement plan to generate a revised movement plan. The first movement plan governs movement of the first vehicle system and one or more second vehicle systems in a transportation network that includes the vehicle yard. The revised movement plan is generated based at least in part on a designated time restriction for the first vehicle system to travel to and be received within the vehicle yard on the receiving route. The method also includes controlling at least one of the first vehicle system or at least one of the one or more second vehicle systems based on the revised movement plan.

A multi-mode control system for a locomotive includes a throttle control device having notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive, a master controller in communication with the throttle control device and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes. The user-operable mode selector includes one or more user interface devices in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes.

The present invention is a method and system that automates the process of locating and identifying railcars in a rail yard. The method and system of this invention creates an electronic record of a railcar identification number that is stenciled to the side of the railcar using digital camera technology and an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) device and software applications. The method and system of the present invention eliminates the need for using the AEI portable reader.

A system (10) for generating a rail yard switch list (e.g., 30) of switch positioning activities for efficient movement of a railyard operator (12). The system includes a first operator control unit (14) (OCU) having a locator (16) for determining a location of the OCU and an associated operator using the OCU during rail yard switching activities. The system also includes a first processor (28) for correlating the rail yard switching activities with a respective location of the OCU in the rail yard to establish a knowledge base of respective preferred locations in the rail yard, and a memory (e.g. 26) for storing the knowledge base of preferred locations in the railyard. The system further includes a second processor (27) for receiving a request (32) for a switch list, accessing the memory, and processing the request based on the knowledge base to generate a switch list.

An improved railroad communication system configurable to comply with newly proposed FRA regulations and further configurable to addresses the concern of communications conflicts is provided. The railroad communication system includes a first radio communication system operating in a first frequency band of about 450 MHz band for communication with a locomotive. The system further includes a second radio communication system operating in a second frequency band selected to be different from the first frequency so as to avoid interference with the first radio communication system for communication with the locomotive. A processor on the locomotive enables the locomotive to selectively respond to the designated control signals so that operation of the locomotive will respond only to the appropriate control signals.

A solution for monitoring an area including one or more restricted zones is provided. The solution can include one or more monitoring assemblies deployed to acquire image data of the area and independently monitor operations within the area at each monitoring assembly. A monitoring assembly can include one or more local alert components to generate an audible or visual alarm to local personnel. Data regarding static features present in the area can be used to create a registration map of the field of view, which can subsequently enable accurate determination of the three-dimensional location of a target using two-dimensional image data and / or identify an extent of a restricted zone even when one or more of the static features are obscured. Monitoring a target over a series of images can be used to determine whether an alert condition is present.

A rail yard management system that takes advantage of infrastructure installed in rail yards and on railcars to allow the management of the railcars within a rail yard. The invention is also applicable to yard management for vehicles other than railcars.

A system for managing locomotives in a railyard including a parking yard and a service yard, based on possible future states of the parking yard and the service yard. The system includes a computer and utilizes an algorithm that enumerates possible present locomotive placement options, enumerates possible future railyard states arising from each possible present locomotive placement option, examines each possible future railyard state, and determines a present option based on the examination of the possible future railyard states.

A rail appliance communication system includes: an equipment management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and an appliance communication device capable of being coupled with a rail appliance disposed proximate to the track, the appliance communication device and the equipment management device configured to communicate a data signal with each other through the conductive pathway. A method for communicating with a rail appliance includes: coupling an equipment management device with a conductive pathway that extends along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and coupling an appliance communication device with the rail appliance disposed proximate to the track; wherein the equipment management device and the appliance communication device communicate a data signal through the conductive pathway.

Embodiments include an intelligent railyard monitoring system including a plurality of video devices, a device for interpreting captured images in operable communication with the plurality of video devices, a device controller in operable communication with the device for interpreting captured images wherein the system is capable of analyzing multiple video streams from the video devices to detect, locate, and track one or more targets and wherein the device for interpreting captured images includes a computing device.

A user interface includes a visual display with suggested speed control throttle and / or brake settings display portion, a speedometer display portion and a distance to target guide portion. The display provides intuitive feedback information helpful for train operator decisions on how and when to change train speed control throttle and / or brake settings. In some embodiments of the present invention the interface suggests brake and / or throttle settings for reducing train speed. The distance to target guide portion includes an analog target display that grows in size as the train approaches a target point speed change or stop position. The speedometer includes analog speed scale, speed indicator needle and a suggested target speed indicator display portions.

A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system. Similar movement planners exist for moving trains in yards or terminals. Coordination is achieved and system efficiency improved by interfacing the line of road and yard planners.

A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.

A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.

An improved maintenance, inspection, and / or measurement solution is provided. An embodiment of the invention includes a handheld measurement device for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel on a train. The handheld measurement device can comprise a single unit to provide one handed operation and can include various features, such as onboard evaluation, a graphical user interface, and / or a self-health monitor. Additionally, aspects of the invention provide an inspection environment that incorporates preliminary measurement data, wireless communications, and / or historical data into the measurement and evaluation process.

A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.

A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.