System and method for managing operations of a train relative to a fouling mark

Abstract

A system and method for managing operations of a train relative to a fouling mark is disclosed. The system comprises one or more sources, an End-of-Train device mounted at a rear-end of the train, and a Head-of-Train device mounted at a front-end of the train communicatively coupled to the End-of-train device and the one or more sources. The Head-of-Train device is configured to detect the fouling mark based on inputs from the one or more sources. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark, upon detecting the fouling mark. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to identify one or more actions to be performed using a predefined logic, before the train clears the fouling mark. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to execute one or more machine-readable instructions for performing the one or more actions identified.

1 . A system for managing operations of a train relative to a fouling mark, the system comprising:
 one or more sources;   an End-of-Train device mounted at a rear-end of the train; and   a Head-of-Train device mounted at a front-end of the train, communicatively coupled to the End-of-train device and the one or more sources, wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to:
 detect the fouling mark based on inputs from the one or more sources; 
 dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark, upon detecting the fouling mark; 
 identify one or more actions to be performed using a predefined logic, before the train clears the fouling mark; and 
 execute one or more machine-readable instructions for performing the one or more actions identified. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sources comprise at least one of a sensing unit mounted on the train, a wayside unit and a cloud server, and wherein the inputs from the one or more sources comprises at least one of a GNSS location of the fouling mark and a distance-to-the-fouling mark, and wherein the distance-to-the-fouling mark is a distance between the train and the fouling mark when the train is approaching the fouling mark. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark by:
 comparing the GNSS location of the fouling mark and a real-time GNSS location of the End-of-Train device.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark based on a confirmation message received from the cloud server, wherein the confirmation message indicates that the End-of-Train device has crossed the fouling mark. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark by:
 dynamically computing a stopping point when the fouling mark is detected ahead of the train, based on the distance-to-the-fouling mark and a length of the train, wherein the stopping point is a location that the Head-of-Train device must reach for the train to successfully clear the fouling mark; and   comparing the stopping point to a real-time GNSS location of the Head-of-Train device to determine if the train has cleared the fouling mark.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to dynamically determine whether the train clears the fouling mark by:
 dynamically computing a stopping distance for the train based on a distance travelled by the train in real-time after the Head-of-Train device crosses the fouling mark, wherein the train successfully clears the fouling mark when the stopping distance reduces to zero.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actions comprises:
 generating a notification indicating a position of the train relative to the fouling mark, on a driver machine interface of the train.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actions comprises:
 broadcasting a status message indicating that clearing of the fouling mark by the train is incomplete, to one or more apparatus associated with a railway signaler.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actions comprises:
 transmitting a status message, to the cloud server, indicating that clearing of the fouling mark by the train is incomplete, wherein the status message enables the cloud server to further transmit a notification, to trailing trains, indicating that clearing of the fouling mark by the train is incomplete.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is further configured to:
 transmit an update message indicative of the GNSS location of the fouling mark to the cloud server, wherein the cloud server updates an artificial intelligence model based on the GNSS location of the fouling mark for enabling subsequent identification of the fouling mark by at least one of the cloud server and the Head-of-Train device.   
     
     
         11 . A method of managing operations of a train relative to a fouling mark, the method comprising:
 detecting, by a Head-of-Train device mounted at a front-end of the train, the fouling mark based on inputs from one or more sources, wherein the Head-of-Train device is communicatively coupled to an End-of-Train device mounted at a rear-end of the train;   dynamically determining, by the Head-of-Train device, whether the train clears the fouling mark upon detecting the fouling mark;   identifying, by the Head-of-Train device, one or more actions to be performed using a predefined logic, before the train clears the fouling mark; and   executing, by the Head-of-Train device, one or more machine-readable instructions for performing the one or more actions identified.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more sources comprise at least one of a sensing unit mounted on the train, a wayside unit and a cloud server, wherein the inputs from the one or more sources comprises at least one of a GNSS location of the fouling mark and a distance-to-the-fouling mark, wherein the distance-to-the-fouling mark is a distance between the train and the fouling mark when the train is approaching the fouling mark. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein dynamically determining whether the train clears the fouling mark comprises:
 comparing the GNSS location of the fouling mark and a real-time GNSS location of the End-of-Train device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein dynamically determining whether the train clears the fouling mark comprises:
 receiving a confirmation message from the cloud server, wherein the cloud server sends the confirmation message upon detecting crossing of the following mark by the End-of-Train device based on the GNSS location of the End-of-Train device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining whether the train clears the fouling mark comprises:
 dynamically computing a stopping point when the fouling mark is detected ahead of the train, based on the distance-to-the-fouling mark and a length of the train, wherein the stopping point is a location that the Head-of-Train device must reach for the train to successfully clear the fouling mark; and   comparing the stopping point to a real-time GNSS location of the Head-of-Train device to determine if the train has cleared the fouling mark.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining whether the train clears the fouling mark comprises:
 dynamically computing a stopping distance for the train based on a distance travelled by the train in real-time after the Head-of-Train device crosses the fouling mark, wherein the train successfully clears the fouling mark when the stopping distance reduces to zero.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more actions comprises:
 generating a notification indicating a position of the train relative to the fouling mark, on a driver machine interface of the train.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more actions comprises:
 broadcasting a status message indicating that clearing of the fouling mark by the train is incomplete, to one or more apparatus associated with a railway signaler.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more actions comprises:
 transmitting a status message to the cloud server indicating that clearing of the fouling mark by the train is incomplete, wherein the status message enables the cloud server to further transmit a notification, to trailing trains, indicating that clearing of the fouling mark by the train is incomplete.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the Head-of-Train device, an update message indicative of the GNSS location of the fouling mark to the cloud server, wherein the cloud server updates an artificial intelligence model based on the GNSS location of the fouling mark for enabling subsequent identification of the fouling mark by at least one of the cloud server and the Head-of-Train device.