System, method, and computer software code for determining rail characteristics of a piece of railroad rolling stock

A system for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the system comprising:

• a velocity determining device configured to collect a measurement to establish a velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock at least at one of a specific location and as the piece of railroad rolling stock traverses an area of interest;
• a speed control device;
• a processor configured to compare measured velocity to a predicted velocity data and to update the predicted velocity based on the actual measured velocity;
• a database configured to provide the predicted velocity data to the processor;
• and
• wherein the processor controls the speed control device to establish a new velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock where a minimized variation in the predicted velocity versus the measure velocity is realized.

A method for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the method comprising:

• predicting velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock before the piece of railroad rolling stock reaches a specific location within the classification rail yard;
• detecting a presence of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location within the classification rail yard;
• calculating velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location;
• comparing the predicted velocity with the calculated velocity;
• determining a correction factor for the predicted velocity by subtracting the predicted velocity from the calculated velocity;
• and
• establishing a subsequent velocity for the piece of railroad rolling stock with use of an updated predicted velocity established with the correction factor.

A computer software code, at least one of storable on a computer readable media and operable with a processor, for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the computer software code comprising:

• a computer software module for predicting velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock before the piece of railroad rolling stock reaches a specific location;
• a computer software module for detecting a presence of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location within the classification rail yard;
• a computer software module for calculating velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock at the specific location;
• a computer software module for comparing the predicted velocity with the calculated velocity;
• a computer software module for determining a correction factor for the predicted velocity by subtracting predicted velocity from the calculated velocity;
• and
• a computer software module for establishing a subsequent velocity for the piece of railroad rolling stock with use of an updated predicted velocity established with the correction factor.

A computer software code, at least one of storable on a computer readable media and operable with a processor, for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard, the computer software code comprising:

• a computer software module for determining a predicted velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock;
• a computer software module for collecting at least one measurement to determine a velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock;
• a computer software module for comparing the measured velocity to the previously predicted velocity;
• and
• a computer software module for modifying subsequent velocity control activities to minimize a variation in the predicted velocity versus the measured velocity.