Train asset tracking based on captured images

A system for tracking train assets is disclosed. The tracking system may include an image capture device configured to collect an image data set of a train asset and an area surrounding the train asset. Furthermore, the image data set may be associated with a time stamp and in one non-limiting example, the time stamp provides a collection time of the image data set. In some embodiments, a controller may be configured to receive the image data set and to perform an analysis of the image data set and the analysis provides a track location of the train asset and an identification of the train asset.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to locomotives and railcars and, more particularly, to a train asset status monitoring system for tracking the position of locomotives and railcars.

BACKGROUND

Passenger trains, freight trains or other known trains often include a long sequence of rail cars configured to travel significant distances. In some cases, the long sequence of rail cars may be referred to as a consist and may be composed of a hundred or more train assets linked together, such as locomotives, revenue cars, wagon cars, or other known types of rail cars and train assets. In some configurations, one or more locomotives may be positioned at the front of the consist in order to pull the trailing rail cars along a railroad or track, however other configurations and positions of the locomotive are possible. The lead locomotive may serve to communicate with the other rail cars in the consist and execute operations such as increasing speed, decreasing speed or braking. Moreover, the lead locomotive may be responsible for operating a number of control systems that are used to monitor the status, location, or any other helpful metric related to train performance while traveling on railways.

Moreover, in order to accommodate heavy volumes of train traffic, railways may form a complex network of tracks composed of multiple sets of train tracks which extend in several directions. Furthermore, the railway may incorporate multiple switching devices that allow the train assets to move from one set of tracks to another in order to reach a desired destination. In some situations, this switching of train assets from one set of tracks to another may make it difficult for train asset monitoring systems to accurately track such a large number of train assets at any given point in time. As a result, due to the complex network of tracks and the large number of train assets routinely traveling on the railway, an effective system is needed to accurately track the status and location of locomotives and railcars.

Previous efforts have been made to create a system for tracking train assets. However, they have not completely addressed the need to track both assets that are stationary and moving along the railway. One example can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,565,913 (‘913 patent’) which discloses an apparatus and method primarily intended for tracking assets indoors, such as in a warehouse. The apparatus for tracking assets includes, a fixed base subsystem, such as a host computer, one or more mobile subsystems that are mounted to a conveying vehicle, an optical position sensor unit and a plurality of optical position markers arranged overhead of the conveying vehicle at predetermined known positional locations.

Although the '913 patent discloses an apparatus and method for tracking the location of one or more assets, the assets being tracked are typically indoors in a warehouse setting. Furthermore, the '913 disclosure provides tracking an asset or conveying vehicle equipped with an optical sensor that is configured to identify particular optical markers. As a result, only the approximate location is determined by the camera identifying a particular marker within view. Therefore, there is a need for a tracking system that includes the monitoring of assets that may not have an optical sensor installed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for tracking train assets is disclosed. The tracking system may include an image capture device configured to collect an image data set of a train asset and an area surrounding the train asset. Furthermore, the image data set may be associated with a time stamp and in one non-limiting example, the time stamp provides a collection time of the image data set. In some embodiments, a controller may be configured to receive the image data set and to perform an analysis of the image data set and the analysis provides a track location of the train asset and an identification of the train asset.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the tracking system may include a first image capture device and a second image capture device disposed along a railway. In some embodiments, the first image capture device may be configured to collect a first image data set of a first train asset and a first area surrounding the first train asset. Furthermore, the second image capture device may be configured to collect a second image data set of a second train asset and a second area surrounding the second train asset. Additionally, a first time stamp may be associated with the first image data set and a second time stamp may be associated with the second image data set and the first and second time stamp may provide a collection time of the first image data and the second image data. Moreover, a controller may be configured to receive and combine the first data set, the second data set, the first time stamp and the second time stamp into a consolidated data set. The controller may perform an analysis on the consolidated data set and provide a track location for the first train asset and the second train asset and an identification of the first train asset and the second train asset.

In yet another embodiment consistent with the present disclosure a method of tracking train assets is disclosed. The method may include installing a first image capture device at a fixed location along a railway and the first image capture device is configured to collect a first image data set of a first train asset and a first area surrounding the first train asset. Furthermore, a second image capture device may be mounted on a mobile train asset configured to move along the railway and the second image capture device is configured to collect a second image data set of a second train asset and a second area surrounding the second train asset. In some embodiments, a first time stamp associated with the first image data set and a second time stamp associated with the second image data set are provided and the first and second time stamps may provide collection times of the first and second image data sets. Moreover, a controller may receive and combine the first image data set, the first time stamp, the second image data set and the second time stamp into a consolidated data set. The controller may perform an analysis on the consolidated data set and the analysis may provide a track location for the first train asset and the second train asset and an identification of the first train asset and the second train asset.

These and other respects and features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood upon reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference toFIG. 1, an exemplary train configuration consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally referred to by reference numeral20. The train20may have one or more locomotives22coupled to one or more railcars24. As illustrated inFIG. 1, some embodiments of the train20may have a plurality of locomotives22that are communicably coupled along the length of the train20. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, two locomotives22may be located at the front of the train20, one locomotive is located approximately in the middle of the train20and one locomotive22is located at the rear of the train20. The train20is coupled together such that the lead locomotive22is in communication with the remote locomotives22and railcars24. As a result, control commands made in the lead locomotive22are transmitted directly or indirectly to the remote locomotives22and railcars24. A train20having one or more locomotives22communicably coupled together with one or more railcars24and configured to propel a train20down a track26may be referred to as a consist28.

FIG. 2provides a more detailed illustration of the locomotive22introduced inFIG. 1. In some embodiments, the locomotive22may include an engine30coupled to a generator32or other power source located on the locomotive22. Furthermore, the engine30may be a diesel, steam, gas turbine, electric, hybrid or any other known type of engine capable of generating electricity for the locomotive22and train20. The generator32may be driven by the engine30in order to produce electricity that is used to propel the locomotive22and railcars24down the track26. For example, the electricity produced by the generator32may be used by one or more traction motors34that are configured to drive one or more wheels36attached to the locomotive22.

The generator32may also provide electricity for other systems, such as control systems, status systems or any other system, that is consumes electricity during the operation of the train20. The traction motors34and wheels36may be coupled to the locomotive22using a chassis or subassembly often referred to as a bogie38or truck. In some embodiments, the locomotive22may have a plurality of bogies38configured with a traction motor34and two sets of wheels36, however, other configurations are possible. Moreover, the bogies38may include other components such as brakes (not shown), axles (not shown) or any other components associated with the bogies38. The bogies38may be attached to a locomotive frame40and the frame40may be further configured to support a locomotive body42, the engine30, the generator32and any other locomotive22components associated with the locomotive22. Furthermore, the body42may have a cab44that forms an enclosure for an operator and other personnel. Moreover, in some embodiments the cab may contain a set of controls (not shown) and other instrumentation (not shown) of the locomotive and an operator may use the controls (not shown) and instrumentation (not shown) the operate the locomotive22and train20.

In one non-limiting example, the locomotive22may have an image capture device46, such as a digital camera or any other known image sensor, mounted on the exterior of the body42. While the illustration provided inFIG. 2shows one image capture device46mounted on a top surface of the body42it will be appreciated that more than one image capture device46may be placed in various locations of the locomotive22. The image capture device46may be configured to take a series of still images of the locomotive22and the surrounding area of the train20. In some cases, the images of the surrounding area of the train20may include images of the track20, images of other railcars24or any other train assets present within the image capture device46field of view. Additionally or alternatively, the image capture device46may be a capable of collecting a continuous video stream of the locomotive22and the surrounding area the train20, however other capabilities and configurations of the device may be used. In some embodiments, the image capture device46may be remotely coupled to a control module48located inside the cab44. For example, the image capture device46and the control module48may communicate over a wireless network, such as a cellular network, computer network (e.g. wi-fi), a satellite network or any other known communication method. Moreover, in some embodiments the control module48may incorporate a series of buttons (not shown), a series of dials (not shown) a touchscreen (not shown), a display device (not shown) or other control interface that may allow an operator to direct the image capture device46to perform certain functions. For example, the operator may use the control module48to view captured image data on the display device (not shown), start and/or stop image data collection, adjust the focus, optimize the lighting exposure, increase/decrease the zoom, or any other necessary adjustments of the image capture device46. In some embodiments, the image capture device46may provide real-time image data to the display device (not shown) for the operator to view. Moreover, the image capture device46may be rotatably attached to the exterior of the locomotive22and the control module48is used to move the image capture device46up, down, left or right and adjust the image area or field of view of the image capture device46.

The control module48may also incorporate or be coupled to a storage device (not shown) such as a hard drive, flash drive, optical drive (i.e. digital video disc or blu-ray) or any other known storage medium. Moreover, the control module48may further incorporate or be coupled to a computing device (not shown) which may be capable executing computer related functions as well as facilitate the storage and/or transfer of the data collected by the image capture device46.

Additionally, the locomotive22may be equipped with additional sensors that are installed for monitoring, controlling and operating the locomotive22and the train20. For example, an active position sensor50, such as a global positioning system unit (GPS), may be installed on the locomotive22and used to provide a location or other known navigation function of the locomotive22and/or train20. In some embodiments, the active position sensor50may be used to detect and communicate with a network of satellites (not shown) and the sensor/satellite communication may provide a continuous, real-time location of the locomotive22and any other train assets connected to or otherwise associated with the locomotive22. Additionally or alternatively, one or more automatic equipment identification tags52(AEI) may be located on various positions of the locomotive22, such as, the bogie38, the frame40, the body42or other location of the locomotive22. In some embodiments, the AEI tags52may be radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) or other known identification devices that are part of a monitoring or control system used in the operation of various train assets (e.g. locomotives22and railcars24).

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary railcar24or wagon of the train20. As illustrated inFIG. 1, during train20assembly, one or more railcars24may be attached behind one or more locomotives22using an attachment mechanism54located on either end of the railcar24. The attachment mechanism54not only serves as a mechanical link but may provide a communication link (not shown) between the railcar24and locomotive22or other train assets. The railcar24may be configured with a body56that is mounted onto a frame58. In some embodiments, the body56may be configured to carry passengers, while in other embodiments the body56may be configured to carry freight, however other configurations are possible. Moreover, the frame58and body56may be supported by one or more bogies60or trucks and the bogies60are typically located at either end of the railcar24and configured with one or more pair of wheels62. Each pair of wheels62may be coupled by an axle (not shown) and the wheels62may be further configured to mate with the rail26. In some embodiments, the railcar24may be equipped with brakes64and one or more wheel sensors66. The wheel sensors66may be a Hall-effect sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, an accelerometer, or any other type of sensor configured to monitor the speed and rotation of the wheels62. Moreover, the output from the wheel sensor66may transferred from the railcar through the communication link (not shown) and received by the control module48or other train monitoring system (not shown) located in the cab44of the locomotive22. Furthermore, the brakes64may be controlled by the train20operator to adjust the speed of the train20. The controls (not shown) for the brakes64may be located in the cab44of the locomotive22.

Additionally, like the locomotive22described above, the railcar24may be equipped with an image capture device68that is mounted on the body56of the railcar24. In some embodiments, the image capture device68is mounted on the top of the body56, alternatively or additionally, a plurality of image capture devices68may be mounted on the side of the body56, the frame58or any other useful location of the railcar24. In one non-limiting example, the image capture device68may be capable of taking a series of still images of the locomotive22, railcar24and/or area surrounding the train20. In some cases, the images of the surrounding area of the train20may include images of the track20, images of other railcars24or any other train assets present within the image capture device68field of view. Additionally or alternatively, the image capture device68may be a capable of collecting a continuous video stream of the locomotive22, railcar24and/or the area surrounding the train20, however other capabilities of the device may be used. In some embodiments, the image capture device68may be remotely coupled to a control module48located inside the cab44. For example, the image capture device68and the control module48may communicate over a wireless network, such as a cellular network, computer network (e.g. wi-fi), a satellite network or any other known communication method. Furthermore, the control module48may allow the operator or other personnel of the locomotive22to remotely control and/or operate the image capture device68. In some embodiments, the control module48may allow the operator to view image data, or to start and/or stop the collection of images. Alternatively, or additionally, the control module48may be used to make adjustments to the image capture device68such as changes to the, focus, lighting, zoom, image area or any other available adjustments. Moreover, the image capture device68may be rotatably attached to the exterior of the railcar24and the control module48is used to move the image capture device68up, down, left or right and adjust the image area or field of view of the image capture device46.

The control module48may also incorporate and/or be coupled to a storage device (not shown) such as a hard drive, flash drive, optical drive (i.e. digital video disc or blu-ray) or any other known storage medium. Moreover, the control module48may further incorporate or be coupled to a computing device (not shown) which may facilitate the transfer and storage of the data collected by the image capture device68to the storage device (not shown). In some embodiments, the control module48may be communicably coupled to additional sensors (not shown) that are mounted on the locomotive22and/or railcar24. For example, a global positioning system unit (GPS) (not shown) may be mounted on the railcar24and used to provide a location or other known navigation function of the railcar24or train20. However, in some embodiments the railcar24may not be equipped with a GPS unit (not shown) and instead rely on the active position sensor50and GPS data provided by one or more locomotives22of the train20. In addition to using active position sensors50on the locomotive22, the railcar24may be equipped with one or more automatic equipment identification (AEI) tags70mounted on the body56, frame58, bogie60or other location of the railcar24. The AEI tags70may be radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) or other known identification devices used for monitoring locomotives22and/or railcars24.

FIG. 4is a schematic of a railyard72and railway or main line74consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one non-limiting embodiment, the railyard72may contain a track network76used for configuring, storing, sorting, loading, unloading, repairing or any other task associated with locomotives22, railcars24and trains20. In some embodiments, the track network76may be configured such that a plurality of rails78are positioned substantially parallel to each other, however other configurations of the track network76are possible. Additionally, the track network76may include one or more sidings80and/or crossovers82as part of the track network76. In one non-limiting example, the sidings80are a portion of rail78that branches off from the track network76or main line74and may be used to store or park a locomotive22, a railcar24or any other train asset. Furthermore, the crossovers82may serve to connect one or more parallel rail sections78of the track network76and allow a locomotive22, railcar24or other train asset to move from one rail section78to another. In some cases, one or more switches (not shown) may be used to help guide the locomotive22, railcar24or other train asset from the rail section78or mainline74onto the siding80or crossover82. As such, the track network76, including sidings80, crossovers82and switches (not shown) may be relied upon to move and rearrange locomotives22, railcars24and other train assets during the assembly of a train20.

Once the train20has been assembled and ready for departure it may exit the railyard72and proceed to travel down the main line74to a selected destination. In some embodiments, the main line74may have a single set of tracks on which the locomotives22, railcars24and other train assets (not shown) may travel. Furthermore, the main line74may be configured to provide a travel pathway for a plurality of trains20that may be located along different locations of the main line74at any given point in time. In some embodiments, the main line74may also have one or more sidings80that branch off from the main line74. These sidings80, connected to the main line74, may be used to store locomotives22, railcars24or any other train asset. Alternatively, or additionally, the sidings80may be used to alter the original train20configuration and/or change the order of the locomotives22, railcars24or other train assets. Furthermore, one or more locomotive22, railcar24or other train asset may be detached from the train20and moved from the main line74to the siding80. This may be done, for example, due to an operational failure, to make repairs, the locomotive22or railcar24is no longer needed or for any other reason related to the operation of the train20.

The complexity of the track network76, sidings80and crossovers82within the railyard72and along the main line74, may make it difficult to accurately track locomotives22, railcars24or other train assets. In some situations, AEI systems may be used to help monitor the movement of locomotives22, railcars24and other train assets. For example, the AEI system may use AEI tags52,70that are mounted on the locomotives22and railcars24along with AEI reading units84deployed at fixed locations along the main line74, such as at wayside stations86or installed along the mainline74and on the rails78within the railyard. Additionally, handheld or portable AEI reading units84may located throughout the railyard72or along the mainline74to monitor locomotives22and railcars24as they are moved around. When locomotives22and railcars24are moved by an AEI reading unit84the AEI tags52,70may be detected. As a result, the time and location the AEI tag52,70was scanned may be used to determine a position of the particular locomotive22and/or railcar24at the time the AEI tag52,70was detected. Furthermore, in certain instances, the geographic location of the AEI reading units located along the main line74and wayside stations86may be known, thus when the AEI tag52,70is detected the geographic location at the time of detection may also be determined.

Furthermore, one or more image capture devices88may be fixed along the main line74at locations, such as, wayside stations86, sidings80or any other location. Additionally, one or more image capture devices88may be mounted on a control center90or other convenient locations in or near the railyard72. In some embodiments, the image capture devices88may be similar to the image capture devices46,68mounted on locomotives22and/or railcars24described above. In some embodiments, the image capture device88, may be a digital camera or any other known image sensor capable of taking a series of still images and/or a continuous video stream of the surrounding area of the wayside station86, the main line74, the control center90or any other location within the field of view of the image capture device88. Furthermore, the image capture device88may be communicably coupled to the control module92located inside the wayside station86and/or control center90. In some embodiments the control module92may incorporate a series of buttons (not shown), a series of dials (not shown) a touchscreen (not shown), a display device (not shown) or other control interface that may allow an operator to direct the image capture device88to perform certain functions. For example, the operator may use the control module92to view image data, start and/or stop image data collection, adjust the focus, optimize the lighting exposure, increase/decrease the zoom, or any other necessary adjustments of the image capture device88. Moreover, the image capture device88may be rotatably attached to the wayside station86and control center90. The operator may use the control module92to move the image capture device88up, down, left or right and adjust the image area of the image capture device88.

The control module92may also incorporate or be coupled to a storage device (not shown) such as a hard drive, flash drive, optical drive (i.e. digital video disc or blu-ray) or any other known storage medium. Moreover, the control module92may further incorporate or be coupled to a computing device (not shown) which may facilitate the storage and/or transfer of the data collected by the image capture device88.

The image capture devices88installed at various places along the main line74and in the railyard72(e.g. wayside stations86, control center90, sidings80) may be configured to collect still images or video feeds of trains20and other rail assets that pass within the field of view of the device. Moreover, the control modules92located in the wayside stations86and control centers90may be capable to communicate with the control modules48installed on locomotives22through a wireless network, such as a cellular network, computer network (e.g. wi-fi), a satellite network or any other known communication method. As such, in some embodiments it may be possible for image data collected by the image capture devices46,48mounted on locomotives22and railcars24to be shared with the control module92located in the wayside stations86and control centers90.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of a train asset tracking system94configured to collect and analyze data related to locomotives22, railcars24or other train assets. In some embodiments, the train asset tracking system94may include one or more image capture devices46,68,88and a controller96that is remotely coupled to the image capture devices46,68,88using a wireless network, such as a cellular network, computer network (e.g. wi-fi), a satellite network or any other known communication method. The controller96may be a computing device capable of processing data and performing other tasks related to the identification and tracking of train assets. Furthermore, the controller96may include or be coupled to a storage medium, such as, a hard drive, flash drive, optical drive (i.e. digital video disc or blu-ray) or any other known storage medium. Additionally, the controller96may be configured with, among other things, an operator interface98and a communications device100. The operator interface98may include a monitor, projector, or any other appropriate type of computing display device. Furthermore, the operator interface98may also be configured with, for example, a series of dials, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen or other type of input device that will allow an operator or other user to input commands or other information into the controller96. In some embodiments, an operator may use the operator interface98to carry out a variety of tasks such as, review previously saved data, access data at another location (e.g. control module48,92) or send data to another location (e.g. locomotive22, wayside station86or control center90) or any other tasks related to the train asset tracking system94.

In some embodiments, the train asset tracking system94may form a network102between the control modules48,92, the image capture devices46,68,88, and the controller96. The control modules48,92and the controller may each have a communication device100that allows communication through a wireless communication network such as a cellular network, computer network (e.g. wi-fi), a satellite network or any other known communication method. As a result, the train asset tracking system94will have image data capture capability at fixed known locations (i.e. wayside stations86and control centers90) and mobile locations along the main line74(i.e. locomotives22and railcars24). Additionally, the communication network102may allow data collected from a plurality of image capture devices46,68,88to be sent to the controller96that is located in a remote office104or other operational location where the image data collected from the image capture devices46,68,88may be further analyzed.

In some embodiments, the controller96located in the remote office104may be configured with an image recognition software and/or other analysis software tool to analyze the image data collected by the image capture devices46,68,88. The image recognition and/or other analysis software may be configured to recognize and identify specific train assets. In one non-limiting example, an image capture device46,68,88may be deployed at a fixed location, such as a wayside station86or control center90and configured to collect image data of passing trains20. Alternatively, or additionally, the image capture devices46,68may be mounted on locomotives22and/or railcars24and configured to collect image data of other passing train assets (e.g. locomotives22and railcars24). In some embodiments, the locomotives22and/or railcars24are capable of collecting data while moving or in a stationary position. Put another way, the image capture devices46,68that are mounted on locomotives22and or railcars24may be configured to collect image data of any train asset that is moving relative to the locomotive22and/or railcar24on which the image capture device46,68is mounted. Such a configuration may allow the image capture devices46,68mounted on moving locomotives22or railcars24to collect images of another train asset that is stationary and located on a track siding80or on an adjacent track (not shown), moving on an adjacent track (not shown) or any other condition that is within the image capture device46,68field of view.

Furthermore, the train asset tracking system94data analysis may be capable of identifying specific track locations of the specific train asset (e.g. locomotives22and railcars24) captured by the image capture devices46,68,88. To identify a specific track location the train asset tracking system94may incorporate a time-stamp along with the image data that is collected and correlate the captured image data and time stamp with position information. In some embodiments, this may allow the train asset tracking system94to determine the precise location along the mainline74where the image data was collected.

Data collected by the train asset tracking system94may be supplemented or correlated with data collected by other sensors and/or monitoring systems. For example, most locomotives22, wayside stations86and control centers90that are equipped with the image capture devices46,88are also equipped with active position sensors50, such as GPS units. The GPS data106collected by the active position sensors50may be combined with the image data collected by image capture devices46,68mounted on locomotives22, wayside stations86and/or control centers90. As a result, the train asset tracking system94may be able to use the GPS data106of where the image data is collected to provide the location of a specific passing train asset at the time the image data was collected. In some embodiments, this may be especially helpful in tracking railcars24because many railcars24are not equipped with active position sensors50

Additionally, or alternatively, the train asset tracking system94may correlate data collected by AEI systems or other train20monitoring systems. As discussed above, the locomotives22, railcars24and other train assets, may be equipped with AEI tags52,70, such as RFID tags or other sensors. Furthermore, AEI reading units84may be deployed at known, fixed locations along the main line74and railyard72. As such, AEI location data108collected from the AEI reading units84may be received by the control modules48,92and then sent to the controller96through the network102established between the control modules48,92and the controller96. As a result, the AEI data108may also be correlated with image data collected by the and image capture device46,68to provide the location of a specific passing train asset at the time the image data was collected.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In general, the asset tracking system based on captured images of the present disclosure may find applicability in many industries, including but not limited to, the monitoring and tracking of train assets as they move about a railway. Train asset monitoring systems may pose some difficulties because monitoring and tracking systems require accurate information to adequately track assets as they travel around a railway. Furthermore, tracking systems may be relied upon to provide positions for a plurality of train assets at any given point in time.

Providing accurate position information can prove to be a difficult task, especially in situations where an active position sensor, such as a GPS unit, is not installed on a particular asset, is inoperative, out of range or any other operational failure. Furthermore, position determination may be difficult if the asset is not moving and therefore not passing AEI or other train asset identification systems. Such a situation may occur, for example where a locomotive, railcar or other train asset is not moving or separated from a train and left on a siding. As a result, there is a need for systems that are capable of tracking the positions and other status indicators of locomotives, railcars and other train assets under such conditions as described above.

Referring toFIG. 6, an exemplary flowchart is illustrated describing a method110which may be followed to track locomotives22, railcars24or other train assets, as described in the present disclosure. The first step112of the method110may require installing a first image capture device88at a fixed location, such as a wayside station86or control center90, along a railway or mainline74. Furthermore, the first image capture device88may be configured to collect a first image data set of a plurality of train assets (e.g. locomotives22and railcars24) and the surrounding area as they pass by the first image capture device88.

According to the next step114of method110a second image capture device46,68may be mounted on a mobile train asset, such as a locomotive22and railcar24. Moreover, the second image capture device46,68may be configured to collect a second image data set of a plurality of second train assets and the surrounding area, as the second train asset passes by the second image capture device46,68. In one non-limiting example, the second image capture device46,68may be configured to capture image data from any train assets (e.g. locomotives22and railcars24) that are moving relative to the train asset mounted with the second image capture apparatus46,68. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second image capture device46,68may capture image data of a train asset that is stationary and located on a track siding80.

Furthermore, step116may provide a first and second time stamp that is associated with the collection of the first and second image data sets respectively. In some embodiments, the first and second time stamps may provide a collection time of the first and second image data sets. Furthermore, the time stamp may be useful in tracking locomotives22, railcars24or other train assets because the time stamp data may be correlated with the identification of a specific locomotive22or railcar24at a specific position along the railway or mainline74. Moreover, in the next step118a controller96may be used to receive the first and second image data sets from the first and second image capture devices46,68,88. In one embodiment, the first and second image data may be wirelessly communicated over a communications network formed between the controller96and a control module48,92that is coupled to the first and second image capture devices46,68,88. Furthermore, upon receiving image data and time stamp data the controller96may combine the first image data set, the first time stamp, the second image data set and the second time stamp to create a consolidated data set.

In the final step120, the controller96may perform an analysis on the consolidated data set to produce a track location of the locomotives22and railcars24viewed by the image capture devices46,68,88. Furthermore, the analysis on the consolidated data set may additionally, or alternatively identify the specific locomotives22and/or railcars24viewed by the image capture devices46,68,88. In one non-limiting example the analysis performed by the controller may use an image recognition algorithm to help identify the specific locomotives22and or railcars captured in the first and second image data files, however other analysis methods may be used. Additionally, or alternatively, the analysis may correlate the time stamp data and the image recognition algorithm with position information received by the controller96. As a result, the train asset tracking system94may be able to determine an exact location where the image data files were collected of specific locomotives22and/or railcars24.

It will be appreciated that the tracking and monitoring the position and activity of train assets can be difficult. Furthermore, it is possible that other train asset tracking systems may require sensors, such as a GPS unit that are not installed on every locomotive, railcar or other train asset. Furthermore, other rail asset management systems may require the assets to be moving along the railway to provide accurate tracking data. As a result, an improved train asset tracking system is needed that can track the position or other status indicators of a train asset when other monitoring systems fail.

Train asset monitoring systems rely on accurate information relative to the assets they are tracking. In operation, the train asset monitoring system may be responsible for keeping track of the positions of hundreds or even thousands of assets at any given point in time. A tracking system, such as the one described in the present disclosure, may be installed on individual train assets and at fixed locations along the railway and used to identify and determine a position of the individual train assets. The foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustration and not for limitation.