Train system having automatically-assisted trip simulation

Abstract

A system for simulating operation of a train is disclosed. The system may include 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 device, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to generate on the display device a graphical user interface having a plurality of data fields configured to contain simulation data, retrieve from memory first data associated with the train and the assigned trip, and automatically populate the plurality of data fields with the first data. The controller may also be configured to simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the signal and at least a portion of the first data and 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 device; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display device, the controller being configured to:
 generate on the display device a graphical user interface having a plurality of data fields configured to contain simulation data; 
 retrieve from memory first data associated with the train and the assigned trip; 
 automatically populate the plurality of data fields with the first data; 
 simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the signal and at least a portion of the first data; and 
 cause simulation results to be shown on the display device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the system further includes an input device in communication with the controller; and configured to receive user inputs indicative of second data associated with at least one of the train and the assigned trip; and   the controller is configured to repopulate one or more of the plurality of data fields with the second data.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to simulate completion of the remainder of the assigned trip based further on the second data. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically repopulate the plurality of data fields with the first data after a first simulation is complete. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to preserve the simulation data in the plurality of data fields after a first simulation is complete. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the system includes an onboard data system in communication with the controller and configured to generate operational data associated with the train; and   the first data includes at least a portion of the operational data.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the system includes one or more off-board data systems in communication with the controller and configured to generate operational data associated with a railroad network; and   the first data includes at least a portion of the operational data.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first data includes at least one of a number of locomotives, a number of cars, a train weight, a train length, a route, a track grade, a track curvature, and an ending point location of the train. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the display device and the controller is located remote from the train. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the display device and the controller is mountable onboard the train. 
     
     
         11 . A method simulating operation of a train, comprising:
 receiving a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip;   generating on a display device a graphical user interface having a plurality of data fields configured to contain simulation data;   retrieving from memory first data associated with the train and the assigned trip;   automatically populating the plurality of data fields with the first data;   simulating completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the signal and at least a portion of the first data; and   causing simulation results to be shown on the display device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including:
 receiving user inputs indicative of second data associated with at least one of the train and the assigned trip; and   repopulating one or more of the plurality of data fields with the second data.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising simulating completion of the remainder of the assigned trip based further on the second data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further including automatically repopulating the plurality of data fields with the first data after a first simulation is complete. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further including preserving the simulation data in the plurality of data fields after a first simulation is complete. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further including generating operational data associated with the train via an onboard data system, wherein the first data includes at least a portion of the operational data. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further including generating operational data associated with a railroad network via an off-board data system, wherein the first data includes at least a portion of the operational data. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first data includes at least one of a number of locomotives, a number of cars, a train weight, a train length, a route, a track grade, a track curvature, and an ending point location of the train. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the display device is located remote from the train or onboard the train. 
     
     
         20 . 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 device;   an input device configured to receive user inputs; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the display device, and the input device, the controller being configured to:
 generate on the display device a graphical user interface having a plurality of data fields configured to contain simulation data; 
 retrieve from memory first data associated with the train and the assigned trip; 
 automatically populate the plurality of data fields with the first data; 
 receive via the input device second data associated with at least one of the train and the assigned trip; 
 repopulate one or more of the plurality of data fields with the second data; 
 simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the signal and at least a portion of the first and second data; and 
 cause simulation results to be shown on the display device, wherein the display device is located remote from or onboard the train.