Vehicle Planning Module for Route Deviation Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems face inefficiencies and delays when deviating from an operating plan, leading to fuel loss and scheduling disruptions due to the time-consuming process of generating new trip plans, especially when changing routes or speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vehicle control module and a planning module that generates a transition plan to adjust operations before a deviation and a prospective plan for post-deviation scenarios, allowing seamless control and optimizing fuel efficiency and emissions while maintaining automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operator manually controls the vehicle system during track transition and a new trip plan is generated, then the vehicle system can adapt to the changed route, but the vehicle system loses fuel saving opportunities and time in automatic control
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates a prospective plan in advance that predicts future route changes and prepares optimized tractive and braking operations before the actual deviation occurs. This preliminary planning allows the vehicle system to maintain automatic control and fuel efficiency by having the new plan ready before manual intervention is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous automatic control by seamlessly transitioning from the current trip plan to the prospective plan without requiring manual operator intervention. The vehicle control module continuously applies the optimized operations from the prospective plan, ensuring uninterrupted automatic control and preventing fuel loss during the transition period
2Reliability
If the operator manually controls the vehicle system during track transition, then the vehicle system can safely navigate the changed route, but the scheduling of other vehicle systems is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates the prospective plan in advance, including all necessary tractive and braking operations for the changed route, before the vehicle system actually deviates. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the plan is activated, the vehicle can safely navigate the new route while minimizing disruption to network scheduling
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle's position and operational status, and the prospective plan is generated based on real-time feedback about the upcoming deviation. This feedback mechanism ensures the plan is accurately tailored to the actual route change while maintaining coordination with network scheduling requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If a new trip plan is generated after deviation, then the vehicle system can operate on the new route, but significant time is lost during plan generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates the prospective plan in advance, anticipating future route changes before they occur. By preparing the plan beforehand rather than reacting after deviation, the system eliminates the time delay associated with generating plans during actual route changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the planning horizon based on the vehicle's current position and upcoming events. The prospective plan is generated at an optimal time that balances the need for early preparation with computational requirements, allowing the system to adaptively manage plan generation timing
4Loss of energy
If the vehicle system maintains automatic control during route changes, then fuel efficiency is optimized, but the system cannot respond to unexpected deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle control system autonomously implements the prospective plan without requiring manual operator intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting the need for a new plan, generating it, and executing it, thereby maintaining fuel efficiency while responding to unexpected deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the vehicle's operational status and route information to automatically determine when a deviation has occurred and when a new prospective plan is needed. This feedback-driven approach allows the system to maintain automatic control and fuel efficiency while being responsive to unexpected changes
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a vehicle control module configured to control a vehicle system according to an operating plan. The operating plan designates one or more first tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system along a trip. The system also includes a planning module for generating a transition plan in response to a deviation from the operating plan. The transition plan designates one or more second tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system as the vehicle system travels toward an approaching location from a second location where the vehicle system deviates from the operating plan. The planning module is further configured to generate a prospective plan in response to the deviation. The prospective plan is configured to be implemented by the vehicle system when the vehicle system at least one of moves past the approaching location or completes the transition plan.