Target activation system for transportation network

A system comprising:

• one or more processors configured to be operably coupled onboard a vehicle system having one or more vehicles, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
• determine an estimated time of arrival of a leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system at a first target location associated with a forward route of the vehicle system, based at least partially on a current location of the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system and a current speed of the vehicle system;
• determine a gap time between when the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system leaves the first target location and is estimated to arrive at a second target location based at least partially on a distance between the first target location and the second target location and a design speed, wherein the first target location is located before the second target location on the forward route of the vehicle system;
• and
• based at least partially on the estimated time of arrival, a dwell time of the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system at the first target location, the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the vehicle system, and a designated warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause an activation of a function associated with the second target location, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
• determine a required time of arrival of the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system at the second target location based at least partially on the designated warning time;
• determine the estimated time of arrival of the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system at the second target location based at least partially on a location of the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system and a speed of the vehicle system after the leading edge or lead vehicle of the vehicle system leaves the first target location;
• and
• based at least partially on a difference between the required time that is determined of arrival and the estimated time that is determined of arrival, generate a target speed of the vehicle system.