System, method, and computer software code for determining rail characteristics of a piece of railroad rolling stock

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard. The method includes determining a predicted velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock, and collecting at least one measurement to determine a measured velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock. A comparison of the measured velocity to the previously predicted velocity is performed, and a modification to subsequent velocity control activities to minimize a variation in the predicted velocity versus the measured velocity is performed. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for controlling movement of the piece of railroad rolling stock within the classification rail yard.

1 . A method for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the method comprising:
 determining a predicted velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock;   collecting at least one measurement to determine a measured velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock;   comparing the measured velocity to the previously predicted velocity; and   modifying subsequent velocity control activities to minimize a variation in the predicted velocity versus the measured velocity.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprises establishing at least at one of a target coupling velocity at a time the piece of railroad rolling stock is coupled and an actual velocity at least at one of a specific location within the classification yard and as the piece of railroad rolling stock traverses an area of interest within the classification yard. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein modifying subsequent velocity control activities further comprises removing an extraneous velocity measurement prior to modifying subsequent velocity control activities. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein collecting further comprises calculating the measurement based on a measurement from at least one of an impedance circuit, radar device and wheel detector device. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein collecting at least one measurement is performed at least at one of a specific location and an area of interest. 
   
   
       6 . A system for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the system comprising:
 a velocity determining device configured to collect a measurement to establish a velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock at least at one of a specific location and as the piece of railroad rolling stock traverses an area of interest;   a speed control device;   a processor configured to compare measured velocity to a predicted velocity data and to update the predicted velocity based on the actual measured velocity;   a database configured to provide the predicted velocity data to the processor; and   wherein the processor controls the speed control device to establish a new velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock where a minimized variation in the predicted velocity versus the measure velocity is realized.   
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprises a computer readable instruction that when executed by the processor causes the processor to remove an extraneous measured velocity measurement caused by at least one of wheel condition, track condition, and erratic movement of the piece of railroad rolling stock. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprises a computer readable instruction that when executed by the processor causes the processor to control the speed control device to establish the velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock as the piece of railroad rolling stock leaves the speed control device. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the processor comprises a computer readable instruction that when executed by the processor causes the processor to compare measured velocity to the predicted velocity data and to update the predicted velocity based on the actual measured velocity. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the velocity determining device comprises at least one of an impedance circuit, a radar device, and a wheel detector device. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the predicted velocity data in the database is at least one of a target coupling velocity at a time the piece of railroad rolling stock is coupled and an actual velocity at least at one of a specific location within the classification yard and as the piece of railroad rolling stock traverses an area of interest within the classification yard. 
   
   
       12 . A method for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the method comprising:
 predicting velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock before the piece of railroad rolling stock reaches a specific location within the classification rail yard;   detecting a presence of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location within the classification rail yard;   calculating velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location;   comparing the predicted velocity with the calculated velocity;   determining a correction factor for the predicted velocity by subtracting the predicted velocity from the calculated velocity; and   establishing a subsequent velocity for the piece of railroad rolling stock with use of an updated predicted velocity established with the correction factor.   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprises establishing at least at one of a target coupling velocity at a time the piece of railroad rolling stock is coupled and an actual velocity at least at one of a specific location within the classification yard and as the piece of railroad rolling stock traverses an area of interest within the classification yard. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein determining a correction factor further comprises removing an extraneous velocity calculation prior to establishing the correction factor. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprises storing at least one of the predicted velocity, the calculated velocity, the correction factor, and the subsequent velocity in a database for subsequent application. 
   
   
       16 . A computer software code, at least one of storable on a computer readable media and operable with a processor, for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the computer software code comprising:
 a computer software module for predicting velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock before the piece of railroad rolling stock reaches a specific location;   a computer software module for detecting a presence of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location within the classification rail yard;   a computer software module for calculating velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location;   a computer software module for comparing the predicted velocity with the calculated velocity;   a computer software module for determining a correction factor for the predicted velocity by subtracting predicted velocity from the calculated velocity; and   a computer software module for establishing a subsequent velocity for the piece of railroad rolling stock with use of an updated predicted velocity established with the correction factor.   
   
   
       17 . The computer software code according to  claim 16 , wherein the computer software module for establishing the velocity further comprises a computer software module for removing extraneous velocity measurements prior to establishing the velocity. 
   
   
       18 . A computer software code, at least one of storable on a computer readable media and operable with a processor, for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the computer software code comprising:
 a computer software module for determining a predicted velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock;   a computer software module for collecting at least one measurement to determine a velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock;   a computer software module for comparing the measured velocity to the previously predicted velocity; and   a computer software module for modifying subsequent velocity control activities to minimize a variation in the predicted velocity versus the measured velocity.   
   
   
       19 . The computer software code according to  claim 18 , further comprises a computer software module for establishing at least at one of a target coupling velocity at a time the piece of railroad rolling stock is coupled and an actual velocity at least at one of a specific location within the classification yard and as the piece of railroad rolling stock traverses an area of interest within the classification yard. 
   
   
       20 . The computer software code according to  claim 18 , wherein the computer software module for modifying further comprises a computer software module for removing an extraneous velocity measurement prior to modifying subsequent velocity control activities.