Railway train data recorder with parallel remote online incident data storage

Abstract

Incident, data of the type stored in a railway train crash hardened memory module (CHMM) and / or other information acquired by a railway train data recorder are transmitted to a remote data storage site. Beneficially the remotely stored information transmitted from the train's onboard recorder may be monitored and / or otherwise analyzed without having to wait for a scheduled periodic download of the CHMM. Parallel transmission and remote storage of incident data during train operation eliminates the need to carry a CHMM onboard the train or schedule dedicated incident data downloads while the train is stationary or otherwise out of service. Existing communications equipment for wireless data transmission already onboard the train may be used for the incident data transmission to the remote data storage device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to railway train onboard data recorders that record operational information, such as train speed and position, brake and throttle application, driver actions, sub-system status and diagnostics, messages exchanged between trackside / landside and train side (e.g. via wireless radio communications) and train crew communications. As used herein, the term “train” locomotive alone, locomotive with cars, or an integrated locomotive / car vehicle, (e.g. light rail or subway). More particularly the present invention relates to onboard data recorders that transmit operational information recorder data in substantially real time and optionally other types of information gathered by the data recorder that does not require real-time transmission, to a remote online data storage site.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Railway trains are often required to be equipped with onboard data recorders that record ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a system and method for transmitting incident data of a railway train crash hardened memory module (CHMM) and other information acquired by a railway train data recorder to a remote data storage site. This allows for real-time monitoring and analysis of the transmitted data without having to wait for a scheduled periodic download of the CHMM. The invention uses existing wireless communication equipment on the train, such as a wireless router or cellular network, for transmitting the data. Additionally, a computer software storage medium apparatus is provided that allows for the software to be executed on a train data recorder to acquire incident data, which is then transmitted wirelessly to a remote data storage device. This eliminates the need for a CHMM onboard the train or dedicated incident data downloads while the train is stationary or out of service. The invention improves the efficiency and accuracy of data collection and analysis for railway safety and operational purposes.

Problems solved by technology

The CHMM devices are generally constructed of heavy hardened steel, with internal heat insulative layers, and are relatively expensive to manufacture.

There are also ongoing service expenses incurred in ongoing use, maintenance, service and inspection of CHMM devices.

There are also service expenses related to incident data download from CHMM devices on a regular basis (not, incident triggered).

Manual CHMM incident data downloads incur labor costs, and restrict train deployment, during the download cycle.

Data mining and analysis opportunities are lost if such incident data and / or other information gathered by the onboard data recorder are only available at a much later time after they are physically downloaded during a scheduled maintenance cycle.

Images