System, method, and computer software code for detecting a physical defect along a mission route

A method for detecting a physical defect along a mission route of a powered system, the method comprising:

• monitoring a tractive effort of the powered system;
• identifying an unplanned change in the tractive effort;
• determining a type of the unplanned change in the tractive effort identified, using a processor;
• and
• determining a type of defect along the mission route based on the type of unplanned change in tractive effort identified.

A computer software code stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor for detecting a defect along a mission route as a powered system is performing a mission, the computer software code comprising:

• a computer software module for gathering information about a tractive effort of the powered system, when executed by the processor;
• a computer software module for identifying an unplanned change in the tractive effort, when executed by the processor;
• and
• a computer software module for determining a type of defect along the mission route based on a type of unplanned change in tractive effort identified, when executed by the processor.