Wayside Monitoring Data Relay for Remote Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in communicating data from wayside devices that lack regular or consistent connections to communication networks, hindering real-time monitoring and control of vehicle systems, especially in remote locations without infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates wayside devices with wireless communication capabilities, allowing data to be uploaded directly to a back office via a vehicle system when it reaches a connected location, using existing components like I-ETMS and ECP brake systems, and establishing mesh networks for data communication between wayside devices and vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wayside devices are deployed in remote locations without network infrastructure, then monitoring coverage is improved, but data communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile vehicle system as an intermediary carrier to transfer data from remote wayside devices to the back office. The wayside device stores data locally, and when a vehicle passes by, it retrieves the data and forwards it through the communication network, thus bridging the gap between isolated wayside devices and the central system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wayside device performs preliminary data collection and local storage before any vehicle passes by. This allows the device to be ready to transmit data immediately when a vehicle is detected, eliminating waiting time and ensuring data is communicated as soon as a communication opportunity arises.
2Device complexity
If operator manual data collection is used for wayside devices, then system complexity is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic data collection where the vehicle system autonomously retrieves data from wayside devices without requiring operator intervention. The vehicle's onboard system automatically detects wayside devices, establishes communication, downloads data, and transmits it to the back office, significantly reducing both time and operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If real-time data communication is implemented, then vehicle control precision is improved, but network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the data communication approach based on network availability. In areas with network coverage, real-time communication is used for immediate vehicle control. In remote areas without coverage, the system switches to periodic data collection via passing vehicles, thus maintaining operational flexibility without requiring uniform high-speed network infrastructure everywhere.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example, a wayside monitoring system (100) is provided. The monitoring system (100) may include a wayside device (112) and a controller (80). The wayside device (112) may detect one or more operating parameters of a vehicle (110) in a vehicle system (106) moving over a route segment (108). The controller (80) can receive information from the wayside device (112) regarding at least the one or more operating parameters detected, and can control movement the vehicle (110) directly or indirectly based at least in part on the received information.