System, method, and computer software code for providing real time optimization of a mission plan for a powered system

A method comprising:

• controlling a powered system according to a current mission plan that designates operations of the powered system as the powered system travels along a route to perform a mission;
• evaluating actual operations of the powered system against the operations designated by the current mission plan as the powered system travels along the route in order to identify one or more exception events, the one or more exception events being triggered by a larger than expected change between a first amount of fuel and a second amount of fuel, the first amount of fuel is an amount that is calculated as being consumed by the powered system based on planned travel according to the current mission plan and the second amount of fuel is an amount that actually is consumed by the powered system during travel along the route;
• responsive to the one or more exception events being identified, autonomously updating the current mission plan to an updated current mission plan based on the one or more exception events, the updated current mission plan designating updated operations of the powered system as the powered system travels along the route to perform the mission;
• and
• operating the powered system according to the updated current mission plan.

A computer readable medium including one or more computer modules configured to direct a processor to:

• control a powered system according to a current mission plan that designates operations of the powered system as the powered system travels along a route to perform a mission;
• evaluate actual operations of the powered system against the operations designated by the current mission plan as the powered system travels along the route in order to identify one or more exception events, the one or more exception events being triggered by a larger than expected change between a first amount of fuel and a second amount of fuel, the first amount of fuel is an amount that is calculated as being consumed by the powered system based on planned travel according to the current mission plan and the second amount of fuel is an amount that actually is consumed by the powered system during travel along the route;
• responsive to the one or more exception events being identified, autonomously update the current mission plan to an updated current mission plan based on the one or more exception events, the updated current mission plan designating updated operations of the powered system as the powered system travels along the route to perform the mission;
• and
• operate the powered system according to the updated current mission plan.

A system comprising:

• a communication system configured to obtain a current mission plan that includes designated operational settings of a powered system for travel of the powered system along a route for a mission;
• and
• a processor configured to be disposed onboard the powered system to determine when one or more exception events to the current mission plan occur while the powered system travels along the route according to the current mission plan, the one or more exception events being triggered by a larger than expected change between a first amount of fuel and a second amount of fuel, the first amount of fuel is an amount that is calculated as being consumed by the powered system based on planned travel according to the current mission plan and the second amount of fuel is an amount that actually is consumed by the powered system during travel along the route;
• wherein the processor is further configured, responsive to the one or more exception events occurring, to autonomously revise the current mission plan to a revised mission plan based on the one or more exception events and to operate the powered system according to the revised mission plan, the revised mission plan including revised designated operational settings of the powered system for travel of the powered system along the route for the mission.