Method of marshalling cars into a train

• US 20080097659A1
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Original Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Inventors: Hawthorne, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 17/00 Switching systems for classification yards

Abstract

A method of optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site and includes determining the track configuration at the site; determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled; determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled; and determining marshalling rules. A calculation is performed to determine an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules. The resulting sequence is outputted.

Claims

1. A method optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site comprising:

determining the track configuration at the site;

determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled;

determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled;

determining marshalling rules;

calculating an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules; and

outputting the sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, including performing the moves of the optimum sequence to marshal the cars into a train

3. The method of claim 2, including recalculating of the optimum sequence while the moves are being performed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the output is one of a printout, a screen and oral.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence is outputted to a screen with a checklist and including updating the checklist in response to entries from an operator.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating is performed on a processor and the results of the determining steps are one of inputted in and stored on the processor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the site location and car locations are determined by a global position type system and inputted into the processor;

and the track configuration at the site is determined by the processor from stored track configurations corresponding to the site location.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein at least two of the location of the cars, characteristics of the cars and marshalling rules are determined and transmitted to the processor.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the processor is one of a handheld device, a remote control locomotive device, a locomotive processor and a tower processor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the site location and car locations are determined by a global position type system.

11. The method of claim 1, including determining the actual moves performed for the marshalling of the cars into the train and storing the actual moves.

12. The method of claim 11, including comparing the actual moves with the optimum sequence and preparing a report.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the car characteristics include one or more of tare weight, lading, length, type of brake system and type of car.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the marshalling rules include car destination and route to be taken.

15. The method of claim 14, including calculating one or more of fuel economy, time to destination and in-train force of the marshaled train over the route and outputting a report of the calculation.

16. The method of claim 15, including changing the marshalling rules based on the report and recalculating one or more of fuel economy, time to destination and in-train force of the new marshaled train over the route and outputting a report of the determination.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the recalculation is performed one of automatically and in response to operator input.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed remote from an operator and the sequence is transmitted to the operator.

19. A method marshalling rail cars into a train at a site comprising:

determining each car'"'"'s destination and route to be taken to its destination;

determining one or more of fuel economy, time to destination and in-train force of a proposed marshaled train over the route and outputting a report of the determination; and

outputting a report of the calculation.

20. The method of claim 19, including changing the location of the cars in the marshaled train based on the report and recalculating one or more of fuel economy, time to destination and in-train force of the new marshaled train over the route and outputting a report of the determination.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the recalculation is performed one of automatically and in response to operator input.