Vehicle Pacing Control for Schedule-Adherent Route Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems lack the ability to regulate speed and throttle to meet the business objectives set by network optimization software, leading to inefficiencies in vehicle movement planning and throughput.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network control system that generates pacing directives for vehicle systems, which include upper and lower limits on movement, and controls throttle and braking to ensure vehicles adhere to these directives, thereby aligning with the movement plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network optimization software is used to control vehicle traffic flow, then throughput and on-time delivery are improved, but the ability to regulate vehicle speed and throttle is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into two functional segments: the network optimization software handles high-level scheduling and routing decisions, while the vehicle control system handles low-level speed and throttle regulation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, maintaining throughput optimization while adding granular speed control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle control system acts as an intermediary layer between the network optimization software and the vehicle's propulsion systems. It receives movement plans from the network software and translates them into specific throttle and braking commands, bridging the gap between strategic planning and tactical execution.
2Reliability
If network optimization software controls vehicle schedules, then business objectives are met, but granular movement control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the network optimization software's scheduling capabilities with the vehicle control system's granular movement control in an integrated architecture. This combination maintains the reliability of schedule adherence while adding the necessary control granularity through the vehicle-level control layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture adds a new dimension of control granularity by implementing vehicle-specific control layers that operate beneath the network-level scheduling. This dimensional addition allows simultaneous operation at multiple levels of detail without increasing overall system complexity.
3Speed
If throttle and braking control is added to vehicle systems, then speed regulation improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle control system is designed to autonomously regulate its own speed and throttle based on movement plans received from the network optimization software. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention or additional external control mechanisms, achieving speed regulation without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts throttle and braking commands based on real-time vehicle position, speed, and upcoming route conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal speed regulation while keeping the control structure efficient by only activating control actions when and where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system is provided that obtains a movement plan that includes schedules for movements of vehicle systems traveling in a network of routes. The movement plan may be generated by a network control system located off-board the vehicle systems. The control system may obtain pacing directives associated with different segment of the routes that a first vehicle system of the vehicle systems is traveling or will travel on according to the movement plan. The pacing directives may dictate upper limits and/or lower limits on movement of the first vehicle system in the different segments of the routes while the vehicle systems are traveling according to the schedules of the movement plan. The control system may control movement of the first vehicle system to meet the schedules of the movement plan while the first vehicle system moves according to the pacing directives in the corresponding different segments of the routes.