System, Method, and Apparatus for Determining an End-of-Train Position

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for determining a location of a train as it travels on a track network is provided. The system includes an end-of-train device located on an end of the train, the end-of-train device comprising at least one signal receiving device configured to activate and receive transponder data from a plurality of passive transponders located throughout at least a portion of the track network. The system also includes at least one processor in communication with the at least one signal receiving device, the at least one processor programmed or configured to determine a location of the train based at least partially on at least a portion of the transponder data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining a location of a train as it travels on a track network, comprising:
 an end-of-train device located on an end of the train, the end-of-train device comprising at least one signal receiving device configured to activate and receive transponder data from a plurality of passive transponders located throughout at least a portion of the track network; and   at least one processor in communication with the at least one signal receiving device, the at least one processor programmed or configured to determine a location of the train based at least partially on at least a portion of the transponder data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is an on-board computer in a locomotive of the train and/or a processor in the end-of-train device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder data stored on each passive transponder of the plurality of passive transponders comprises an identifier that uniquely identifies at least one track segment of the track network. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed or configured to correlate the location of the train with a track database based at least partially on the identifier. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the location of the train determined by the at least one processor comprises a location of a front of the train and a location of a back of the train. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the location of the train determined by the at least one processor comprises a location of an end of the train. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed or configured to:
 determine that a position of the train is past a track segment corresponding to at least one passive transponder; and   transmit, to a back office system, an indication that the position of the train is past the track segment.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a GPS receiver in communication with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed or configured to:
 determine a location of the train based on GPS data received from the GPS receiver; and   determine when a passive transponder of the plurality of passive transponders is expected to be encountered based at least partially on the location of the train determined based on the GPS data.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the track network comprises a plurality of switches, each switch corresponding to a clearance point on a track segment, and wherein at least one passive transponder of the plurality of passive transponders is located proximate to the clearance point of each switch. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one other passive transponder of the plurality of passive transponders is located adjacent a track segment approaching the clearance point of each switch. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed or configured to:
 determine a distance traveled by the train based at least partially on measurements received from a wheel tachometer; and   determine if the train has passed a clearance point based at least partially on the distance traveled and the transponder data.   
     
     
         12 . A method for determining a location of a train in a track network, wherein a plurality of transponders are located throughout the track network, each transponder of the plurality of transponders comprising transponder data, comprising:
 activating at least one transponder with a signal receiving device located in an end-of-train device attached to the train as the train is traveling on a track segment;   receiving transponder data from the at least one transponder; and   determining a location of the train based at least partially on the transponder data received from the at least one transponder.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the signal receiving device is disposed on or in the end-of-train device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the transponder data stored on each transponder of the plurality of passive transponders comprises an identifier that uniquely identifies at least one track segment of the track network. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising correlating the location of the train with a track database based at least partially on the identifier. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the location of the train comprises a location of a front of the train and a location of an end of the train. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining that a position of the train is past a track segment corresponding to at least one passive transponder; and   transmitting, to a back office system, an indication that the position of the train is past the track segment.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining a location of the train based on GPS data received from a GPS receiver; and   determining when a transponder of the plurality of transponders is expected to be encountered based at least partially on the location of the train determined based on the GPS data.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the track network comprises a plurality of switches, each switch corresponding to a clearance point on a track segment, and wherein at least one transponder of the plurality of transponders is located proximate to the clearance point of each switch. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein at least one other transponder of the plurality of transponders is located adjacent a track segment approaching the clearance point of each switch. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed or configured to:
 determine a distance traveled by the train based at least partially on measurements received from a wheel tachometer; and   determine if the train has passed a clearance point based at least partially on the distance traveled and the transponder data.   
     
     
         22 . An end-of-train device adapted to be attached to an end of a train, comprising:
 a housing;   at least one processor disposed in the housing; and   at least one signal receiving device disposed in or attached to the housing, the at least one signal receiving device configured to activate and receive transponder data from a plurality of passive transponders located throughout a track network, such that the at least one processor and/or an on-board computer is enabled to determine a location of the train based at least partially on the transponder data.   
     
     
         23 . A system for determining a location of a train as it travels in a track network, comprising:
 a plurality of passive transponders located throughout the track network, each passive transponder comprising transponder data uniquely identifying a track segment;   at least one signal receiving device disposed in or attached to an end-of-train device, the at least one signal receiving device configured to activate and receive transponder data from the plurality of passive transponders; and   at least one processor in communication with the at least one signal receiving device, the at least one processor programmed or configured to: (i) determine that the train has passed a location based on the track data, and (ii) in response to determining that the train has passed the location, communicating an indication to a back office system.