System and Method for Automated Locomotive Startup and Shutdown Recommendations

• US 20130268147A1
• Filed: 08/14/2012
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chundru, Srinivas, Student, Patrick J., Prince, Tim L., Buchheit, Allen H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,914,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0036 Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0058 On-board optimisation of vehicle or vehicle train operation
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/14 to cut-off the power supply to traction motors of electrically-propelled vehicles

Abstract

Data representative of a train consist (the train consist comprising a plurality of locomotives and a plurality of cars) and data representative of a route for the train consist can be processed by a processor to automatically determine which locomotives in the train consist should be powered on and which locomotives in the train consist should be shut down for each segment of the route. The processor can make these determinations based on an analysis of the train consist data and the route data with respect to a plurality of considerations that affect train efficiency. Recommendations for locomotive startups and shutdowns in accordance with such automated determinations can then be presented to the train crew for the crew to use during train operations. It is believed that when train crews are in compliance with such recommendations, significant improvements in efficiency, particularly with respect to fuel consumption, can be achieved.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

processing data representative of a train consist and data representative of a route for the train consist, the train consist comprising a plurality of locomotives and a plurality of cars, wherein the processing includes applying the train consist data and the route data against a plurality of rules;

in response to the processing, automatically generating recommendation data that is indicative of how many and which locomotives of the train consist should be powered on or shut down for a segment of the route; and

wherein the method steps are performed by a processor.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rules comprise rules that are indicative of efficiency considerations for the train consist.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step comprises the processor applying at least one rule that is based on a dynamic braking consideration for the train consist.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step comprises the processor applying at least one rule that is based on a tons per axle (TPA) rating for the train consist.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating the automatically generated recommendation to a train crew for the train consist.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the processor repeats the method steps for each segment of a plurality of segments of the route, and wherein the communicating step comprises communicating the automatically generated recommendation to a train crew for the train consist in time for the train crew to implement the recommendation for each segment.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the processor accessing a memory to read a plurality of data structures for the train consist data and the route data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the recommendation data comprises an identification of a particular locomotive in the train consist that is recommended for shutdown and an identification of a segment of the route for which that particular locomotive is recommended for shutdown.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the segment identification comprises an identifier for a geographic location associated with a start of the route segment.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the train consist data comprises a data structure representative of an operational status for each locomotive in the train consist, each locomotive'"'"'s operational status being indicative of whether that locomotive is to be powered on or shut down for the route segment, and wherein the processing step comprises:

the processor determining a required power amount for the train consist based on the train consist data and the route data;

the processor determining an actual power amount for the train consist based on power data for the locomotives;

the processor determining whether an excess power amount exists by comparing the determined actual power amount with the required power amount; and

in response to a determination that an excess power amount exists, the processor applying a plurality of rules to the train consist data and the route data to determine whether a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on should have its operational status changed to being shut down.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the train consist data further comprises a data structure representative of a power amount for each locomotive in the train consist, and wherein the rules applying step comprises:

the processor determining whether a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on has a power amount less than the determined excess power amount;

in response to the processor determining that a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on has a power amount less than the determined excess power amount, the processor testing whether that particular locomotive can have its operational status changed to be indicative of it being shut down; and

in response to the test resulting in a determination that the particular locomotive can have its operational status changed to be indicative of it being shut down, the processor automatically generating recommendation data for that particular locomotive to be shut down.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the testing step comprises:

the processor recalculating the required power amount in view of that particular locomotive being shut down;

the processor determining whether the train consist would have sufficient power with that particular locomotive shut down based on the recalculated power amount; and

in response to a determination that the train consist would not have sufficient power with that particular locomotive shut down, the processor determining that that particular locomotive'"'"'s operational status should remain indicative of it being powered on.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the processing step comprises the processor iterating over a plurality of locomotives in the train consist other than the head locomotive to determine whether any of the plurality of locomotives in the train consist other than the head locomotive can be recommended for shut down.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the rules comprise a territory rule that is configured to prevent a shut down of a trailing locomotive in a predefined territory as determined from the route data.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the rules comprise a coupler alignment rule that is configured to prevent a shut down of a locomotive in front of a locomotive that is not coupler aligned.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the processing step further comprises:

in response to a determination that an excess power amount does not exist, the processor determining that a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being shut down should have its operational status changed to being indicative of being powered on.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step comprises:

the processor determining an effective equivalent tons per axle for each of at least one locomotive in the consist;

the processor calculating an actual equivalent tons per axle as a sum of effective equivalent tons per axle for all locomotives in the consist;

the processor calculating a required tons per axle for the consist, where processor determines the required tons per axle from the train'"'"'s route, territorial equivalent tons per axle requirements, cargo weight, train car weight, deadweight of non-working locomotives, and dynamic braking power requirements;

the processor calculating an excess power as the difference between the actual equivalent tons per axle and the required tons per axle; and

the processor iterating over the at least one locomotive in the consist, excluding a head locomotive, to determine whether to startup or shutdown each of the at least one locomotives such that the excess power remains positive and dynamic braking power requirements are met.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing data representative of a train consist and data representative of a route for the train consist, the train consist comprising a plurality of locomotives and a plurality of cars; and

a processor configured to (1) apply the train consist data and the route data against a plurality of rules, and (2) in response to the application operation, automatically generate recommendation data that is indicative of how many and which locomotives of the train consist should be powered on or shut down for a segment of the route.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the plurality of rules comprise rules that are indicative of efficiency considerations for the train consist.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the processor is further configured to apply at least one rule that is based on a dynamic braking consideration for the train consist.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the processor is further configured to apply at least one rule that is based on a tons per axle (TPA) rating for the train consist.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the processor is further configured to communicate the automatically generated recommendation to a train crew for the train consist.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the processor is configured to (1) repeat the processing operations for each segment of a plurality of segments of the route, and (2) communicate the automatically generated recommendation to a train crew for the train consist in time for the train crew to implement the recommendation for each segment.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the processor is further configured to access the memory to read a plurality of data structures for the train consist data and the route data.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the recommendation data comprises an identification of a particular locomotive in the train consist that is recommended for shutdown and an identification of a segment of the route for which that particular locomotive is recommended for shutdown.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the segment identification comprises an identifier for a geographic location associated with a start of the route segment.

27. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the train consist data comprises a data structure representative of an operational status for each locomotive in the train consist, each locomotive'"'"'s operational status being indicative of whether that locomotive is to be powered on or shut down for the route segment, and wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a required power amount for the train consist based on the train consist data and the route data;

determine an actual power amount for the train consist based on power data for the locomotives;

determine whether an excess power amount exists by comparing the determined actual power amount with the required power amount; and

in response to a determination that an excess power amount exists, apply a plurality of rules to the train consist data and the route data to determine whether a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on should have its operational status changed to being shut down.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the train consist data further comprises a data structure representative of a power amount for each locomotive in the train consist, and wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine whether a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on has a power amount less than the determined excess power amount;

in response to a determination by the processor that a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on has a power amount less than the determined excess power amount, test whether that particular locomotive can have its operational status changed to be indicative of it being shut down; and

in response to the test resulting in a determination by the processor that the particular locomotive can have its operational status changed to be indicative of it being shut down, automatically generate recommendation data for that particular locomotive to be shut down.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the processor is further configured to, as part of the testing operation:

recalculate the required power amount in view of that particular locomotive being shut down;

determine whether the train consist would have sufficient power with that particular locomotive shut down based on the recalculated power amount; and

in response to a determination by the processor that the train consist would not have sufficient power with that particular locomotive shut down, determine that that particular locomotive'"'"'s operational status should remain indicative of it being powered on.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the processor is further configured to iterate the processing operation over a plurality of locomotives in the train consist other than the head locomotive to determine whether any of the plurality of locomotives in the train consist other than the head locomotive can be recommended for shut down.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the rules comprise a territory rule that is configured to prevent a shut down of a trailing locomotive in a predefined territory as determined from the route data.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the rules comprise a coupler alignment rule that is configured to prevent a shut down of a locomotive in front of a locomotive that is not coupler aligned.

33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to a determination that an excess power amount does not exist, determine that a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being shut down should have its operational status changed to being indicative of being powered on.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:

a plurality of instructions that are resident on the computer-readable storage medium and executable by a processor to (1) process data representative of a train consist and data representative of a route for the train consist, the train consist comprising a plurality of locomotives and a plurality of cars, (2) apply the train consist data and the route data against a plurality of rules, and (3) in response to the application operation, automatically generate recommendation data that is indicative of how many and which locomotives of the train consist should be powered on or shut down for a segment of the route.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the plurality of rules comprise rules that are indicative of efficiency considerations for the train consist.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to apply at least one rule that is based on a dynamic braking consideration for the train consist.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to apply at least one rule that is based on a tons per axle (TPA) rating for the train consist.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to communicate the automatically generated recommendation to a train crew for the train consist.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 38 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to (1) repeat the operations for each segment of a plurality of segments of the route, and (2) communicate the automatically generated recommendation to a train crew for the train consist in time for the train crew to implement the recommendation for each segment.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to access a memory to read a plurality of data structures for the train consist data and the route data.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the recommendation data comprises an identification of a particular locomotive in the train consist that is recommended for shutdown and an identification of a segment of the route for which that particular locomotive is recommended for shutdown.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 41 wherein the segment identification comprises an identifier for a geographic location associated with a start of the route segment.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 34 wherein the train consist data comprises a data structure representative of an operational status for each locomotive in the train consist, each locomotive'"'"'s operational status being indicative of whether that locomotive is to be powered on or shut down for the route segment, and wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to:

determine a required power amount for the train consist based on the train consist data and the route data;

determine an actual power amount for the train consist based on power data for the locomotives;

determine whether an excess power amount exists by comparing the determined actual power amount with the required power amount; and

in response to a determination that an excess power amount exists, apply a plurality of rules to the train consist data and the route data to determine whether a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on should have its operational status changed to being shut down.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 43 wherein the train consist data further comprises a data structure representative of a power amount for each locomotive in the train consist, and wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to:

determine whether a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on has a power amount less than the determined excess power amount;

in response to a determination that a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being powered on has a power amount less than the determined excess power amount, test whether that particular locomotive can have its operational status changed to be indicative of it being shut down; and

in response to the test resulting in a determination that the particular locomotive can have its operational status changed to be indicative of it being shut down, automatically generate recommendation data for that particular locomotive to be shut down.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 44 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to, as part of the testing operation:

recalculate the required power amount in view of that particular locomotive being shut down;

determine whether the train consist would have sufficient power with that particular locomotive shut down based on the recalculated power amount; and

in response to a determination that the train consist would not have sufficient power with that particular locomotive shut down, determine that that particular locomotive'"'"'s operational status should remain indicative of it being powered on.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 45 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to iterate the operations over a plurality of locomotives in the train consist other than the head locomotive to determine whether any of the plurality of locomotives in the train consist other than the head locomotive can be recommended for shut down.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 46 wherein the rules comprise a territory rule that is configured to prevent a shut down of a trailing locomotive in a predefined territory as determined from the route data.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 46 wherein the rules comprise a coupler alignment rule that is configured to prevent a shut down of a locomotive in front of a locomotive that is not coupler aligned.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 43 wherein the processor-executable instructions are further configured to, in response to a determination that an excess power amount does not exist, determine that a locomotive in the train consist having an operational status indicative of it being shut down should have its operational status changed to being indicative of being powered on.