Train system having malfunction-based trip simulation

Abstract

A system is disclosed for use in simulating operation of a train. The system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip. The system may also have a display, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to retrieve from memory first data associated with the assigned trip, and retrieve from memory second data associated with the train. The controller may be further configured to simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the first data, the second data, and the signal, when the operating status of the component becomes malfunctioning, and to cause simulation results to be shown on the display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for simulating operation of a train, comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip;   a display; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display, the controller being configured to:
 retrieve from memory first data associated with the assigned trip; 
 retrieve from memory second data associated with the train; 
 simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the first data, the second data, and the signal, when the operating status of the component becomes malfunctioning; and 
 cause simulation results to be shown on the display. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the display and the controller is located remote from the train. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the display and the controller is mountable onboard the train. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to simulate completion of the remainder of the assigned trip while the train is underway. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is automatically triggered to simulate completion of the remainder of the assigned trip based on a change in the operating status of the component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the train is shutdown when the operating status of the component becomes malfunctioning; and   the controller is automatically triggered to simulation the remainder of the assigned trip when the train is shutdown.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is manually triggered to simulate completion of the remainder of the assigned trip. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the simulation results include at least one of an anticipated arrival time and an anticipated fuel consumption. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive input indicative of a goal for the train associated with the assigned trip;   make a comparison of the simulation results with the goal; and   provide an indication regarding a successful outcome for the remainder of the assigned trip based on the comparison.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the goal is associated with at least one of an arrival time and a fuel consumption. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 make a determination that the operating status of the component could negatively affect achievement of the goal; and   simulate the remainder of the assigned trip only when the operating status of the component is likely to negatively affect achievement of the goal.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first data includes a track profile for the remainder of the assigned trip. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second data includes at least one of a train weight, a train length, a rolling resistance, an available power, a fuel consumption, a thermal characteristic, a cargo value, a delay cost, and a location of the train. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine a collateral damage cost of ignoring the operating status of the component; and   selectively ignore the operating status of the component when simulating the remainder of the assigned trip based on the collateral damage cost.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine an adjustment to the train that will improve a likelihood of completing the assigned trip; and   selectively simulate the remainder of the assigned trip using the adjustment.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adjustment includes a reduced throttle setting. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adjustment includes isolation of the component. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adjustment includes reassignment of lead locomotive designation within a consist of the train. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adjustment includes changing of an operating parameter limit. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adjustment includes a change in a blend ratio of different fuels consumed by the train. 
     
     
         21 . A system for simulating operation of a train, comprising:
 at least one sensor mountable onboard the train and configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip;   a display located offboard the train; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display, the controller being configured to:
 retrieve from memory first data associated with the assigned trip; 
 retrieve from memory second data associated with the train; 
 receive input indicative of a goal for the train associated with the assigned trip; 
 simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the first data, the second data, and the signal, when the operating status of the component becomes malfunctioning; 
 make a comparison of simulation results with the goal; and 
 show on the display an indication regarding a successful outcome for the remainder of the assigned trip based on the comparison. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine an adjustment to the train that will improve a likelihood of completing the assigned trip; and   selectively simulate the remainder of the assigned trip using the adjustment.   
     
     
         23 . A method of simulating operation of a train, comprising:
 generating a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip;   retrieving from memory first data associated with the assigned trip;   retrieving from memory second data associated with the train;   simulating completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the first data, the second data, and the signal, when the operating status of the component becomes malfunctioning; and   displaying results of the simulating.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein displaying results of the simulating includes displaying the results at a location remote from the train. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein displaying results of the simulating includes displaying the results onboard the train. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein simulating completion of the remainder of the assigned trip includes simulating completion of the remainder of the assigned trip while the train is underway. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further including:
 receiving input indicative of a goal for the train associated with the assigned trip;   making a comparison of the results of the simulating with the goal; and   providing an indication regarding a successful outcome for the remainder of the assigned trip based on the comparison.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the first data includes a track profile for the remainder of the assigned trip; and   the second data includes at least one of a train weight, a train length, a rolling resistance, an available power, a fuel consumption, a thermal characteristic, a cargo value, a delay cost, and a location of the train.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , further including:
 determining a collateral damage cost of ignoring the status of the component; and   selectively ignoring the operating status of the component when simulating the remainder of the assigned trip based on the collateral damage cost.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , further including:
 determining an adjustment to the train that will improve a likelihood of completing the assigned trip; and   selectively simulating the remainder of the assigned trip using the adjustment.