System and method for controlling a vehicle system to achieve different objectives during a trip

A system comprising:

• a sensor configured to monitor an operating condition of a vehicle system during movement of the vehicle system along a route for a trip;
• and
• a controller including one or more processors, the controller configured to designate one or more operational settings for the vehicle system as a function of one or more of time or distance along the route, the one or more operational settings designated to drive the vehicle system toward achievement of one or more objectives for the trip, the controller being operable in at least two operating modes including a first operating mode and a second operating mode,
• wherein the controller operates in the first operating mode responsive to the operating condition of the vehicle system being at least one of at or above a designated threshold, the controller in the first operating mode being configured to designate operational settings to drive the vehicle system during the trip toward achievement of a first objective during movement of the vehicle system along the route, the first objective including one or more of a reduction in fuel consumption or a reduction in emissions generation by the vehicle system relative to the vehicle system traveling along the route according to operational settings that differ from the one or more operational settings designated by the controller, and
• wherein the controller operates in the second operating mode responsive to the operating condition of the vehicle system being below the designated threshold, the controller in the second operating mode being configured to designate operational settings to drive the vehicle system during the trip toward achievement of a different, second objective during movement of the vehicle system along the route.