Method and apparatus for initializing an automated train control system

A method for initializing a vehicle on a vehicle path, comprising the steps of:

• a) positioning a vehicle on a vehicle path;
• b) moving said vehicle on said vehicle path;
• c) moving said vehicle over a first fixed point of reference;
• d) identifying a location of the first fixed point of reference;
• e) moving said vehicle over a second fixed point;
• f) identifying a location of the second fixed point;
• g) measuring the distance between the first fixed point and the second fixed point by a distance measuring device provided on the vehicle;
• h) calculating the distance traveled by the vehicle between the first fixed point and the second fixed point, based upon the identified locations;
• i) calibrating the distance measuring device so that the measured distance between the first fixed point and the second fixed point equals the calculated distance;
• j) determining the vehicle's direction of travel based upon the sequence the vehicle passes over said fixed points;
• and
• k) determining the orientation of said vehicle using the distance measuring device and the determined vehicle's direction of travel.

A vehicle initialization system for vehicle control system, comprising:

• a vehicle to be initialized;
• a vehicle path adapted to coact with said vehicle, said vehicle path including a spur portion and a main portion, wherein said vehicle travels from said spur portion onto said main portion;
• a vehicle identifier adapted to identify vehicle characteristics, said vehicle identifier attached to said vehicle;
• a reader positioned along said spur portion, said reader adapted to read said vehicle identifier as said vehicle travels along said spur portion;
• a computer interfaced with said reader and adapted to have data relayed from said reader inputted therein, said data identifying characteristics of said vehicle;
• identifying means for identifying at least one characteristic of said vehicle as said vehicle travels along said spur portion, said identifying means interfaced with said computer;
• and
• preventing means for preventing said vehicle from entering said main portion of said vehicle path if said vehicle characteristic identified by said identifying means does not correspond with one of said vehicle characteristics identified by said vehicle identifier.

A vehicle initialization system for a vehicle control system, comprising:

• a vehicle to be initialized;
• a vehicle path adapted to coact with said vehicle;
• at least two spaced apart position identifiers positioned along said path, each of said position identifiers adapted to represent information identifying a location of said position identifiers along said vehicle path;
• a first reader attached to said vehicle and adapted to read information from said position identifier;
• an onboard computer provided with said vehicle interfaced with said first reader, said onboard computer adapted to receive data from said first reader;
• means for measuring the distance said vehicle has traveled interfaced with said onboard computer, whereby when said vehicle passes said position identifiers, said position identifiers identify location information to said first reader and said first reader relays the location information as data, which is inputted into said onboard computer so that said onboard computer determines a vehicle direction of travel, determines a distance between said position identifiers, calibrates said means for measuring the distance said vehicle has traveled and determines the orientation of said vehicle based upon information said onboard computer receives from said means for measuring the distance said vehicle has traveled;
• a vehicle identifier adapted to identify vehicle characteristics, said vehicle identifier attached to said vehicle;
• identifying means for identifying at least one characteristic of said vehicle as said vehicle travels along said vehicle path, said identifying means interfaced with a wayside computer;
• and
• means for preventing said vehicle from proceeding along said vehicle path if said vehicle characteristic identified by said identifying means does not correspond with one of said vehicle characteristics identified by said vehicle identifier.

A method for initializing a vehicle on a vehicle path having a spur portion and a main portion, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a vehicle with a vehicle identifier identifying vehicle characteristics;
• b) positioning said vehicle on a spur portion of a vehicle path;
• c) moving said vehicle on said spur portion of said vehicle path;
• d) verifying at least one of said vehicle characteristics while said vehicle is positioned on said spur portion of said vehicle path;
• and
• e) stopping said vehicle on said spur portion of said vehicle path prior to entering said main portion of said vehicle path if at least one of said vehicle characteristics is not verified.

A vehicle initialization system for a vehicle control system, comprising:

• a vehicle to be initialized;
• a vehicle path adapted to coact with said vehicle;
• a vehicle identifier attached to said vehicle and adapted to identify characteristics of said vehicle;
• a reader positioned along said vehicle path and adapted to read said vehicle identifier as said vehicle travels along said path;
• a wayside computer interfaced with said reader and adapted to have data relayed from said reader inputted therein, said data identifying characteristics of said vehicle;
• means for identifying characteristics of said vehicle;
• a vehicle computer provided with said vehicle, said vehicle computer adapted to identify characteristics of the vehicle relayed to said vehicle computer from said means for identifying;
• and
• means for preventing said vehicle from proceeding down said vehicle path if said vehicle characteristics identified by said vehicle computer does not correspond with at least one of said vehicle characteristics identified by said wayside computer.

A method for initializing a vehicle on a vehicle path, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a vehicle with a vehicle identifier identifying vehicle characteristics;
• b) positioning a vehicle on a vehicle path;
• c) moving the vehicle on the vehicle path;
• d) moving the vehicle over a first fixed point of reference;
• e) identifying a location of the first fixed point of reference;
• f) moving the vehicle over a second fixed point;
• g) identifying a location of the second fixed point;
• h) measuring the distance between the first fixed point and the second fixed point by a distance measuring device provided on the vehicle;
• i) calculating the distance traveled by the vehicle between the first fixed point and the second fixed point based upon the identified locations;
• j) calibrating the distance measuring device so that the measured distance between the first fixed point and the second fixed point equals the calculated distance;
• k) determining the vehicle's direction of travel based upon the sequence the vehicle passes over said fixed points;
• l) determining the orientation of the vehicle using the distance measuring device and the determined vehicle's direction of travel;
• m) verifying at least one of the vehicle characteristics;
• and
• n) stopping the vehicle if at least one of the vehicle characteristics is not verified.

A method for initializing a vehicle on a vehicle path, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a vehicle with a vehicle identifier identifying vehicle characteristics, including a vehicle length;
• b) positioning the vehicle on a vehicle path;
• c) moving the vehicle on the vehicle path;
• d) verifying the vehicle length;
• and
• e) stopping the vehicle if the vehicle length is not verified.