Rail Yard Train Graph Planning for Container Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Planning and management of train movements in a rail yard are inefficient and cumbersome due to the manual separation and reconfiguration of train appliances, such as locomotives and rail cars, which is necessary for maintenance, refueling, and unloading operations.

Innovation Solution

A rail planning system that includes a data storage device for storing container data and a user interface to create and modify a train graph, allowing for the planning and management of train movements by displaying planned locations in time and space, enabling the attachment and detachment of containers, and locking or unlocking movements for finalization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual planning and management of train appliance movements is used, then flexibility in handling complex yard operations is maintained, but efficiency and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrain movement planning efficiencyVSAvoidmanual planning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical planning processes with an automated computer-based system that generates train graphs and manages appliance movements electronically, eliminating the need for manual chart manipulation and improving planning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic generation of train graphs and movement plans based on input data, allowing the system to self-manage the planning process without requiring manual intervention for routine operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated systems are introduced to improve planning efficiency, then productivity increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrain movement planning efficiencyVSAvoidplanning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex train planning system into modular components including train graph generation, appliance movement planning, and constraint management modules, making the system easier to implement and maintain while achieving high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides multiple functions within a single integrated platform, including automatic train graph generation, appliance tracking, and movement optimization, reducing the need for multiple separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12515722B2Rail planning system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES PTY LTD

AI summary

A rail planning system for planning movement of trains is disclosed. At least some trains comprising a plurality of containers and each container includes at least one train appliance. The system comprises a data storage device arranged to store container data indicative of the or each appliance associated with each container, and planned future locations of the containers. The system is arranged to produce data indicative of a train graph for display, the train graph including a line for each container, each line indicative of the planned locations in time and space of a container, and the system includes an interface arranged to facilitate modification by a user of the planned location of a container and thereby modification of the line associated with the container on the train graph.