Patent Publication Number: US-8538609-B2

Title: System, method, and computer readable memory medium for verifying track database information

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/208,504, which was filed on 11 Sep. 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,271,153, and is entitled “System, Method, And Computer Readable Memory Medium For Verifying Track Database Information,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference into this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the inventive subject matter pertain to databases that are maintained and contain data relating to roadway, waterway, off-road, track and other designated pathway systems that are used for transportation by powered vehicles. More specifically, embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate to databases that are maintained and contain information concerning railroad track systems. 
     Railroad companies operate trains and control railroad traffic on track systems that may include thousands of miles of railroad tracks. In order to control movement of trains on a track system, a track database is maintained that contains information relating to track topography, which is also referred to as the track profile data. The data stored in these databases includes, among other things, track grade data, track curvature data, and geographical coordinates of various points or segments of the track. Typically, a railroad track system is divided into geographic subdivisions, which include sets of railroad tracks extending between different train destinations. Within a subdivision, the railroad track may be segmented into track sections (that may include multiple tracks) of a predetermined length; and, for each track section there is provided one or more track grades or ranges of track grades. The track grade data for any one track section may be constant or it may have different grades in a single direction, grades in opposite directions have opposite signs, adjacent parallel tracks can have different grades or compensated grades including banking or super elevation curvature. 
     The geographic coordinate track data is typically provided in the form of a location of a point or section of the track and/or the identification of wayside traffic control devices or railroad crossings relative to mileposts (also referred to as “mile markers”) or other reference points positioned along the track. For example, a database may show that track T 5  has a 1% track grade for 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) from mile post #75 to mile post #85 at which point the grade may increase to 1.1% for the next two miles from mile post #85 to milepost #87. In another example, the database may provide that switch A1 that connects track T 5  to track T 6  is positioned halfway between milepost #110 and milepost #111. The database may also provide coordinate or location data at discrete points along the track, for example location data relative to a start point, ending point, mile markers, switches, signal locations, etc. 
     In addition, the track database may include data relative to one or more civil speed limits associated with various track sections. Sometimes the track database may have temporary speed restrictions that may be imposed as a result for example of track repairs taking place on the track. 
     In use, the track database for a selected track or sections of track on which a train will be traveling is provided to an operator who prepares a trip plan based on the information provided in the track database. The operator, based on past experience and/or operating manuals, maps out a train route over the track sections provided. The route will include the identity of the different tracks the train will travel on and the different speeds at which the train will travel along the track. Given the track grade, and other parameters such as train weight and length, the operator is able to determine the locomotive throttle positions necessary to achieve the different desired speeds on the track, and plans the trip accordingly. 
     However, at times the data found in these databases is not complete, has not been updated, or is simply incorrect or inaccurate. In addition, locomotives may include one or more operating systems that provide for the automated control of certain locomotive functions. Such systems may include fuel savings systems, positive train control systems, brake control systems, and operator coaching systems, which use elements of the track database for the automated control of certain locomotive operations. The manufacturers or vendors of such systems provide relevant components of the track database; however, data conversion, human error, and other factors may lead to incorrect or inaccurate data entry. 
     In any such case in which the track grade is not correct the train may be traveling too fast on a track, which may result in an accident or inefficient use of fuel; or, the train may be traveling too slow, which may result in the train not meeting a time schedule. Moreover, if for example the data relating to the location of a switch is inaccurate the train may enter the switch at too high a speed, which could cause an accident or derailment. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate to a system for verifying data in a track database, which is used with a track system including a plurality of tracks on which a powered vehicle travels. The system comprises a track profile database stored in a memory and having track profile data relative to one or more track grades and geographic coordinates or range of coordinates associated with each of the one or more track grades. For a designated track or other route over which the vehicle is to travel, a vehicle trip plan is developed, and/or the vehicle is operated, according to the track profile data and a planned vehicle operating condition associated with each of the one or more track grades and the associated coordinates or range of coordinates of the track grades is determined “Planned vehicle operating condition” refers to a vehicle speed, throttle setting, brake setting, or other parameter according to which the vehicle is to be operated. Thus, for a particular grade at a particular location, the planned vehicle operating condition might be a designated throttle setting or speed. 
     A data storage device is provided for storing data relative to the geographic coordinates of the vehicle and a current operating condition of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on the track system. In addition, a controller is configured to compare the stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated geographic coordinates to the planned vehicle operating condition to verify the accuracy of the track grade data at the associated geographic coordinates. 
     A method or computer readable media for verifying data in a track database for a track system, on which a powered vehicle may travel, provides a track profile database stored in a memory. The track database contains data relative to one or more track grades of a track and geographic coordinates or range of coordinates associated with each of the one or more track grades. The method or computer readable media also provides a vehicle trip plan developed according to the track profile data that includes a designated path of travel of the vehicle over the track system and a planned vehicle operating condition that is associated with each of the one or more track grades. The method or computer readable media further store data relative to the geographic coordinates of the vehicle and data relative to a current operating condition of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on the track system and compare the stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated geographic coordinates to the planned vehicle operation to verify the accuracy of the track grade data at the associated geographic coordinates. The various sections or components of a database that have been verified may be marked accordingly, so one may identify those data points that have not been verified and not unnecessarily repeat the work. In addition, those locations or points that have been determined has not verified or have inaccurate data may be flagged to easily identify the data that must be updated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present inventive subject matter can be more easily understood and the further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of the data verification system and a locomotive having components of the system; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a track database and relevant data; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a data storage device and the relevant data; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart describing steps in an embodiment of the data verification system and method; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart describing steps of a second embodiment of the data verification system and method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A more particular description of the inventive subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the inventive subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventive subject matter will be described and explained. While the inventive subject matter is described below in reference to locomotives and trains the inventive subject matter is not so limited. The inventive subject matter may be used with other vehicles including marine, off-highway vehicles, on-road vehicles, etc. The term “powered vehicle” as used herein shall comprise the vehicles that have an onboard power source sufficient to propel the vehicle and possibly others in a series of vehicles. In the case of trains traveling on railroad tracks, the locomotive is the powered vehicle. The term “track” as used herein shall comprise different pathways, such as off-road, off-highway, roads, marine pathways, or railroad tracks traveled by powered vehicles. In addition, the terms “geographic coordinates” or “coordinates” comprises one or more track locations or locations of a vehicle on a track. The locations may be characterized or determined in any number of ways, including, but not limited to providing longitudinal, latitudinal or elevational coordinates or providing the distance a point or location is from a fixed reference such as a vehicle start or destination location or a mile marker positioned along the track. 
     Before describing in detail the particular method and apparatus for verifying track database information in accordance with embodiments of the present inventive subject matter, it should be observed that the present inventive subject matter resides primarily in a novel combination of hardware and software elements related to said method and apparatus. Accordingly, the hardware and software elements have been represented by conventional elements in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to the present inventive subject matter, so as not to obscure the disclosure with structural details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     With respect  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there is schematically illustrated an embodiment of the data verification system  10  used in connection with the operation of a locomotive  12  and train  22  that includes a plurality of railcars  23  and that travels on a track  26 . The locomotive  12  includes an onboard operating system  16  that comprises one or more controllers  20  that are used to control locomotive operations or functions. A global positioning system (GPS) transceiver  24  is provided and transmits data relative to the movement and location of the locomotive  12  to the one or more controllers  20  as the locomotive  12  and train are traveling on the track  26 . Alternatively, a controller/processor  36  may be provided and programmed to determine the geographic coordinates by estimating or determining the distance the locomotive  12  has traveled on the track  26  from a fixed reference point such as a wayside device, or a starting location of the locomotive  12 . Accordingly, coordinate data may be expressed as a distance that is measured, estimated or inferred by the controller  36  that the locomotive  12  has traveled relative to a known object such as a wayside device, or a starting location of the locomotive  12 . Alternatively, the controller may determine the location of the locomotive  12  or train  22  based on a collection of inputs such as GPS, speed sensors, operator inputs or wayside sources, etc. 
     The track  26  represents a section of railroad track that is a component of a track system that may include thousands of miles or tracks that may be divided into one or more geographic subdivisions. A track database  18  having stored track profile data  21  is provided for planning a trip or route on the track  26 . The track profile data  21  comprises data relative to the grade  25  of the track  26  at a plurality of geographic coordinates or locations  29  along the length of the track  26 . The coordinate data  29  may be absolute geographic data, such as longitudinal and latitudinal data. Such data  29  may also include track elevation data. The track coordinate data may also be provided as a relative distance or a distance range of a selected location of the track is or has traveled from a fixed reference point. The track grade data  25  and corresponding coordinate data  29  may be provided at any selected increments such as fractions of a mile along the track  26 . When the track grade remains constant or fixed, within a predetermined range over an extended distance, the track grade data may be provided for fewer track locations. In addition, the track grade data may be provided at various points of interest along the track including locations where the power settings of the locomotive  12  may be changed due to track grade (other factors such as the weight of the train  22  and a desired speed determined according to a trip plan), or at points where the train may enter or exit the track  26 . The track grade data  25  may be provided in the form of a percentage value denoting the rate of change of a rise over a designated length of the track, or track elevation data may be provided and with the controller  36  being configured to estimate the grade as the locomotive  12  travels on the track  26 . 
     Data  21 , other than track grade data, may be provided in the track database  18 . Other such data may comprise speed limits or restrictions for various sections or segments along the track. The speed restrictions may include speed limits imposed by railroad companies and/or local communities (i.e., civil speed limits) or temporary restrictions that are the result of some event, such as track repair, occurring on the track  26 . Other physical characteristics, such as track curvature and/or super elevation associated with the track  26  and the location of the curvatures and/or super elevations, may be included in the database. In addition, the identity and location of wayside traffic control devices such as switches, mileposts, grade crossings, and signal lights may be provided. In addition, there may be other items of interest like wayside detectors, dragging equipment, lubrication equipment, wheel temperatures, etc. 
     The track database  18  (or components of the track database  18 ) and a train manifest are provided to a train operator who develops a trip plan, and/or operates the train, according to the data  21  in the track database and the train manifest. More specifically, the train operator has been trained and/or follows operating manuals to determine the throttle settings and/or braking commands (or other vehicle operating conditions) for the locomotive  12  traveling on various sections of the track  26 . The train operator primarily considers the track grade, speed restrictions, signal information, and train weight and length to determine the different throttle positions (or locomotive speed or other vehicle operating conditions) for the locomotive during a trip. In addition, the train operator  30  may also verify that one or more controllers  20  have the same data found in the track database  18  and the train manifest. 
     With respect to  FIG. 3 , in steps  40  and  42  respectively, the track database  18  is provided and the train operator  30  develops a trip plan for the locomotive  12  and train  22 . As the train  22  is traveling on track  26 , the GPS transceiver  24  transmits data  38  relative to the location of the locomotive  22  on the track  16  to a data storage device  32 . In addition, the controller  20  transmits data  39  relative to the speed, power and braking at which the locomotive  12  is traveling on the track to the data storage device  32 . Accordingly, the data storage device  32  has stored data relative to the speed at which the locomotive  12  has traveled on the track  26  at various locations on the track  26 . In addition, data from a train manifest relating to the physical parameters or characteristics of the train such as its length, weight, etc. may also be considered in determining the speed at which the locomotive  12  should travel on the track  26 . This information or data can then be used to verify whether the track grade data in the track database  18  is accurate. 
     In step  48 , using the track grade data  25 , the associated notch settings for the different sections of the track  16 , and known algorithms, it is possible to calculate a planned speed or other vehicle operating condition for the locomotive  12  to travel on the track  26  according to the trip plan developed by the operator. In addition, other information such has train manifest (weight), desired throttle setting etc. may be considered to calculating the planned speed. In step  50 , the recorded operating speed of locomotive  12  is then compared to the planned speed at various sections or points on the track  26  to see if the data matches or is within an acceptable range or within a required accuracy. If the operating speed and planned speed data matches, then the track grade data for a selected section or point of the track  26  in the database  18  may be marked as verified, as at step  52 . If the data does not match, then in step  54  the identified location or section of the track  16  and the associated track grade data is flagged for further investigation into the reason for the discrepancy. As noted above, the discrepancy may be due to incorrect track grade data entered in the database  18 . 
     The verification processing may be conducted on an off-board controller  34 , shown in  FIG. 1 . When the train  22  has completed a trip, a portion of a trip, or has otherwise stopped at a station with an off-board controller  34 , the data in the data storage device  32  may be downloaded to the off-board controller  34  for verifying the track grade data. The controller  34  is provided with the track database  18  for processing the verification steps. In addition, or alternatively, operating system  16  may include the controller/processor  36  that is programmed to calculate or access the planned speeds for various locations of the track  26  and compare the operating speed to the planned speed for real time verification. The operating system  16  may include a display screen (not shown) that displays the track grade data provided in the track database  18  and an estimated track grade determined by the controller/processor  36  based on the current operating speed or throttle position of the locomotive  12 . Note, data from multiple trains or locomotives may be provided to the controller  34  to further verify the accuracy of the track grade data. Using multiple locomotives as multiple reference points can eliminate or help identify bad data or incorrect data relative to a controller&#39;s  36  estimation of the track grade. 
     Again with respect to  FIG. 1 , the data verification system may also include a camera  14  mounted on the locomotive  12  for recording images of wayside equipment  28  such as mile markers, switches, grade crossings, operator instructions, light signals, speed limit signs, dragging equipment detectors, lubrication equipment, wheel temperature detectors, etc. The camera  14  may be configured to collect visible spectral data of the wayside equipment  28  as the locomotive  12  travels on the railroad track  26 . The camera  14  may be a video camera that runs continuously or that is configured to run periodically at estimated times when the locomotive  12  passes the wayside equipment  12 . The camera  14  is linked to the operating system  16  of the locomotive  12  to transmit recorded images to the data storage device  32 . The camera  14  may be configured to record date and time information relative to the recorded images. In addition, the GPS transceiver  24 , or other location determining equipment, transmits the locomotive  12  coordinate data to the data storage device  32 , which data may include date and time information. Alternatively, or in addition, the operating system  16  may be configured to record date and time information as the recorded image and GPS coordinate data is received at the operating system  16 . In addition, the operation system  16  may be configured to determine the location of the locomotive  12  in terms of distance the locomotive has travelled and record the data for some predetermined distance intervals, and associate those distances with dates and time, so that a recorded image may be associated with a location of the locomotive  12 . In this manner, the recorded image may be matched with the appropriate coordinate data based on the date and time information provided by the camera  14  and the GPS transceiver  24 . As described above, other methods of determining location of the locomotive  12  on the track  26  may be utilized. For example, the controller  36  may be configured to estimate a distance the locomotive  12  has traveled relative to a fixed reference point such as a starting point or a wayside device  28 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 5 , the track database  18  is provided in step  60  and includes track profile data  21  relative to the identity  31  and location  33  of various wayside devices  28  positioned along the track  26 . In steps  62  and  64  respectively, GPS coordinate data relative to the location of the locomotive  12  and one or more images of the wayside equipment  28  is recorded and stored in the data storage device  32 . As described above, in lieu of the transceiver  24 , the controller/processor  36  or other controllers  20  may determine the location of the locomotive  12  by calculating the distance the locomotive has traveled relative to some fixed reference point, when the image is received at the data storage device  32  from the camera  14 . 
     In step  66 , the wayside equipment coordinate data is compared to the corresponding data  33  stored in the track database  18 ; and, in steps  68  and  70  if the coordinate data matches, the wayside signal  28  and coordinate data are marked as verified. In steps  68  and step  72 , if the recorded coordinate data for the wayside equipment  28  does not match, the wayside equipment coordinate data  33  in the track database  18  is flagged for further verification or investigation. As described above, the verification processing may be conducted using an off-board controller  34  or the onboard controller/processor  32  for real time verification. Verifying the location of the wayside equipment is critical to the operation of the locomotive  12  and train  22 . The operator  30  makes decisions relative to the speed of the locomotive  12  based on the location of certain wayside equipment  28 . For example, if data is provided that signal lights are located five miles ahead of the locomotive  12 , and there is a speed restriction associated with signal lights, the operator  30  may need to start decelerating and slowing the locomotive within two miles of the lights in order to see and interpret the signals accordingly. 
     Processing the data may be conducted by the wayside controller  34  or the operating system  16  may be configured to process the data during the normal operation of the train. When a locomotive  12  completes a trip, or otherwise stops on a track  26 , image data stored either in the camera  14  or in the operating system  16  may be loaded to a wayside controller  36 . In addition, data relative to the geographic coordinates for the wayside devices depicted in the images is provided. In an embodiment, multiple trains may be used wherein each train may be assigned designated track sections so that multiple trains may more record images for an entire railroad track system. As described above the database may be updated by marking data relative to the location and identity of wayside devices  28  as verified. Data relative to entire track sections may also be marked. In addition, the wayside devices  28  that are not accurately represented in the database may be flagged so that an operator can update the database accordingly. As discussed above the onboard controller  36  may be configured to comprise a location determiner algorithm by using data from various inputs such as the GPS transceiver, speed sensors, operator inputs or wayside sources. The controller  36  may also receive the image data or coordinate data, and compare the determined location for grade or wayside equipment to verify the accuracy of the database within in some predetermined range. 
     Embodiments described above may be implemented on a suitable computer system, controller, data, or generally a computer readable medium. For example, the steps of the methods described above may correspond to computer instructions, logic, software code, or other computer modules disposed on the computer readable medium, e.g., floppy disc, hard drive, ASIC, remote storage, optical disc, or the like. The computer-implemented methods and/or computer code may be programmed into an electronic control unit of an engine, a main control system of the locomotive, a remote control station that communicates with the locomotive unit, or the like, as described above. 
     An embodiment of the present inventive subject matter relates to a computer readable memory medium for verifying data in a track database for a track system on which a powered vehicle may travel. The computer readable memory medium includes a computer module for providing a track profile database stored in a memory. The database includes track profile data relative to one or more track grades of a track and geographic coordinates or range of coordinates associated with each of the one or more track grades of the track. (That is, for each track grade, there are geographic coordinates or a range of coordinates associated therewith.) The computer readable memory medium also includes a computer module for operating the powered vehicle along a designated path of travel of the vehicle over the track system. The vehicle is operated according to the track profile data and following a planned vehicle operating condition that is associated with each of the one or more track grades. (That is, for each track grade, there is a planned vehicle operating condition associated therewith.) The computer readable memory medium also includes a computer module for storing data relative to the geographic coordinates of the vehicle and data relative to a current operating condition of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on the track system. The computer readable memory medium also includes a computer module for comparing the stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated geographic coordinates to the planned vehicle operation to verify the accuracy of the track grade data at the associated geographic coordinates. The verified track grade data is optionally marked as accurate or inaccurate. 
     In another embodiment, the planned vehicle operating condition is a planned speed of the vehicle, and the current operating condition of the vehicle is a current speed of the vehicle. In this manner, the current operating speed is compared to the planned operating speed to verify the accuracy of the track grade data. 
     In another embodiment, the track profile data includes data relative to one or more vehicle speed restrictions associated with one or more sections of the track. 
     In another embodiment, the computer readable memory medium includes a computer module for transmitting the vehicle coordinate data from a global positioning system transceiver on the vehicle to the data storage device. 
     In another embodiment, in the computer readable memory medium, the computer module for storing the vehicle coordinate data is a computer module that includes code or programming instructions, that when executed by the controller, cause the controller to determine a distance the vehicle has traveled on the track from a fixed reference point. 
     In another embodiment, the computer readable memory medium includes a computer module for providing track profile data that includes data relative to an identity of one or more wayside devices and geographic location data for each wayside device, and a computer module for recording images of wayside devices as the powered vehicle travels on the track. The computer readable memory medium may also include a computer module for recording the geographic location of the camera at different intervals on the track, where each geographic location of the camera represents the location of a wayside device an image of which was recorded on the camera. 
     Although embodiments of the inventive subject matter have been described herein primarily in regards to locomotives, trains, and tracks, the inventive subject matter more generally relates to vehicles traveling over a designated route. For example, one embodiment of the present inventive subject matter relates to a system for verifying data in a database relating to a route on which a powered vehicle may travel. In this embodiment, the system includes a route profile database stored in a memory. The route profile database includes route profile data relating to one or more route grades of the route (e.g., rate of change of an elevation rise or fall over a designated length of the route) and, for each route grade, a location associated with the route grade. (The location may be a particular point, or a segment along the route.) The powered vehicle is operated over the route according to the route profile data and, for each route grade, a planned vehicle operating condition associated with the route grade. (For example, for a given route grade at a location, the planned vehicle operating condition might be a throttle setting at which the vehicle is to be operated when it reaches the location.) The system also includes data storage device for storing data relative to the location of the vehicle and, for each location, data relative to a current operating condition of the vehicle at the location, as the vehicle travels on the route. (For example, at a first location of the vehicle, data relating to a current operating condition of the vehicle at the first location is stored; at a second location of the vehicle, data relating to the current operating condition of the vehicle at the second location is stored; and so on.) The current operating condition might be vehicle speed, for example. The system also includes a controller configured to compare the stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated location to the planned vehicle operating condition to verify the accuracy of the route grade data at the associated location. Post processing of the track grade data and location of wayside equipment may be conducted quickly and efficiently by using multiple powered vehicles. For example, each powered vehicle may be assigned sections of a track and the stored data may be fast forward to more quickly locate the wayside equipment associated with a track section. 
     While various embodiments of the present inventive subject matter have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only and not of limitation. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the teaching of the present inventive subject matter. Accordingly, it is intended that the inventive subject matter be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.