Automatic train control system and method

• US 7,539,624 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vu, Thu V., Crone, Michael S., Wills, M. Scott, Thomae, Douglas A., Matheson, William L., Julich, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYCE, ANDRE D
• Application Number:
  US10/438,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20040010432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,202 Days
• Field of Search: 705/8
• US Class Current: 705/7.22
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/12 Preparing schedules
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/14 Following schedules
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/16 Trackside optimisation of vehicle or train operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06314 Calendaring for a resource
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work

Abstract

A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the movement of a plurality of trains along a network of track according to a predetermined movement plan comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of trains along a network of track;

(b) communicating to each of the plural trains its respective portion of the movement plan constituting a trajectory of the movement plan;

(c) determining the position of each train along the track;

(d) evaluating by a computer system, the movement of the trains relative to their trip plans by simulating the movement of the trains in a detailed physical model by advancing the time and position of the trains along the track;

(e) determining trip plan adjustments needed by any train not in compliance with its trip plan based in part on effects of track parameters of the network of track on the adjustments and the simulation; and

(f) communicating the trip plan adjustments to the trains.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a plurality of trains includes the steps of providing a resource scheduler, and wherein said resource scheduler identifies and selects the plurality of trains based, in part by parameters related to cost.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling operations of the trains by displaying commands indicative of the trip plan to operators on the trains.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling operations of the trains by determining power and brake settings for implementing the trip plan for the train and automatically executing the power and brake setting for the trains.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein trip plan adjustments are determined based on the step of evaluating an effect of track parameters on train brake application points in consideration of locations of the trains.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the trip plan adjustments comprises evaluating an effect of the track parameters on train power application points in consideration of locations of the trains.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the trip plan for each train is communicated to an onboard computer on the respective train which derives and provides instructions for operation of the train for implementing the trip plan.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprises communicating the trip plan to the onboard computer via an off-board central computer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the onboard computer automatically makes speed adjustments for the respective train.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically setting wayside track control elements in compliance with the trip plan.

11. A system for precisely controlling the movement of a plurality of trains along a network of track according to a predetermined movement plan having a trip plan for each of the trains, the system comprising:

(a) a central computer in communication with a train dispatch system for providing the trip plan to each of the plurality of trains;

(b) a geographic locating system for determining the position of each of the plural trains along the network of track;

(c) a computer for evaluating the compliance of each of the plural trains to its respective trip plan by simulating the movement of the trains in a detailed physical model by advancing the time and position of the trains along the track;

(d) a movement planner for determining the trip plan adjustments needed by any of the plurality of trains not complying with to its respective trip plan and all other trains and trip plans that may be affected, said planner determining effects of track parameters on the adjustments and the simulation; and

(e) a wireless communication link for communicating said movement plan adjustments and trip plans to the plurality of trains on the network of track.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising an onboard computer selectively installed in the plural trains for storing each train'"'"'s trip plan thereto and for deriving and providing instructions for implementing the train'"'"'s trip plan.

13. A computer program product for use with railway computer assisted dispatch device, said computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code modules embodied in said medium for controlling the movement of a plurality of trains along a network of track according to a predetermined movement plan;

computer readable first program code module for causing a computer to communicate with each of the plural trains within a respective portion of the movement plan, said

computer readable second program code module for causing said computer to determine the position of each train along the track;

computer readable third program code module for causing said computer to evaluate the movement of the trains relative to their respective train trip plans by simulating the movement of the trains in a detailed physical model by advancing the time and position of the trains along the track;

computer readable fourth program code module for causing said computer to determine trip plan adjustments for any train not in compliance with its respective trip plan based in part of effects of track parameter of the network of track and the simulation; and

,

said computer readable first program code module for causing said computer to communicate the trip plan adjustments to the trains.