A ride control system , comprising: a central controller configured to synchronize movements of separate groups of ride vehicles along a path , wherein each of the separate groups of ride vehicles comprises a plurality of individual ride vehicles unconnected to one another and forming a virtual train , wherein each virtual train is assigned one or more schedules comprising a plurality of expected positions along the path and a plurality of expected timestamps, and wherein each of the expected timestamps of the plurality of expected timestamps are associated with respective expected positions of the plurality of expected positions; and a plurality of vehicle controllers , wherein each vehicle controller of the plurality of vehicle controllers is communicatively coupled to a respective individual ride vehicle of the plurality of individual ride vehicles, wherein each vehicle controller is configured to control a speed of the respective individual ride vehicle along the path based at least on the one or more schedules; wherein one of the plurality of individual ride vehicles within each virtual train is a lead vehicle of the corresponding virtual train and wherein: the central controller is configured to communicate with each virtual train through the vehicle controller of the designated lead vehicle; and each lead vehicle is configured to monitor the relative positions of the vehicles in the corresponding virtual train and to assign schedules to the vehicles in the corresponding virtual train based on the relative positions. a central controller configured to synchronize movements of separate groups of ride vehicles along a path , wherein each of the separate groups of ride vehicles comprises a plurality of individual ride vehicles unconnected to one another and forming a virtual train , wherein each virtual train is assigned one or more schedules comprising a plurality of expected positions along the path and a plurality of expected timestamps, and wherein each of the expected timestamps of the plurality of expected timestamps are associated with respective expected positions of the plurality of expected positions; and a plurality of vehicle controllers , wherein each vehicle controller of the plurality of vehicle controllers is communicatively coupled to a respective individual ride vehicle of the plurality of individual ride vehicles, wherein each vehicle controller is configured to control a speed of the respective individual ride vehicle along the path based at least on the one or more schedules; wherein one of the plurality of individual ride vehicles within each virtual train is a lead vehicle of the corresponding virtual train and wherein: the central controller is configured to communicate with each virtual train through the vehicle controller of the designated lead vehicle; and each lead vehicle is configured to monitor the relative positions of the vehicles in the corresponding virtual train and to assign schedules to the vehicles in the corresponding virtual train based on the relative positions. the central controller is configured to communicate with each virtual train through the vehicle controller of the designated lead vehicle; and each lead vehicle is configured to monitor the relative positions of the vehicles in the corresponding virtual train and to assign schedules to the vehicles in the corresponding virtual train based on the relative positions. <EOS>