Vehicle control system and method

A vehicle control system comprising:

• a controller comprising one or more processors and configured to communicate instructions to a portable distribution vehicle that is at a first loading location and is loaded with at least a first cargo, the instructions configured to automatically control operation of the portable distribution vehicle to move from the first loading location to a first distribution location for unloading at least some of the first cargo without an operator onboard the portable distribution vehicle manually controlling the portable distribution vehicle, wherein the portable distribution vehicle is a first type of portable distribution vehicle that is allowed to move along a designated route, and vehicles of a second type that is different than the first type are prohibited from moving along the designated route,
• the controller configured to control a locking system on a portion of the portable distribution vehicle that contains the first cargo to control access to the first cargo disposed onboard the portable distribution vehicle while the portable distribution vehicle is at the first distribution location,
• wherein the controller is configured to control the portable distribution vehicle to move between the first distribution location and an intermediate location each day for a designated number of days so that the portable distribution vehicle is at the first distribution location during a first time period of each of the days and is at the intermediate location during a second time period of each of the days, wherein the intermediate location is a secured location that restricts access to the portable distribution vehicle.

A method comprising:

• communicating instructions to a portable distribution rail vehicle that is loaded with first cargo to move from a first loading location to a distribution location, wherein the portable distribution rail vehicle is configured to move along a designated track for the portable distribution rail vehicle, wherein non-rail vehicles are prohibited from moving along the designated track;
• controlling access to the first cargo disposed onboard the portable distribution rail vehicle, via one or more processors while the portable distribution rail vehicle is at the distribution location, wherein the access to the first cargo is controlled by:
• receiving an access request from a requesting receiver;
• determining, via the one or more processors, whether a requesting receiver is an approved receiver or an unapproved receiver;
• allowing the approved receiver access to the first cargo by the one or more processors automatically changing a locked state of a locking system of the portable distribution rail vehicle;
• and blocking the unapproved receiver from accessing the first cargo by the one or more processors maintaining the locked state of the locking system;
• directing the portable distribution rail vehicle to move away from the distribution location to the first loading location or another loading location responsive to at least a portion of the first cargo being unloaded from the portable distribution rail vehicle at the distribution location by the approved receiver;
• and controlling the portable distribution rail vehicle to move between a first distribution location and an intermediate location each day for a designated number of days so that the portable distribution rail vehicle is at the first distribution location during a first time period of each of the days and is at the intermediate location during a second time period of each of the days, wherein the intermediate location is a secured location that restricts access to the portable distribution rail vehicle.