Patent ID: 8219268

Claim:
A navigation system comprising: a computer readable storage medium having a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to: acquire a plurality of parameters of a train comprising parameters measured after the train has begun a journey, wherein the train comprises: a plurality of vehicles providing tractive effort; and a consist coupled to the plurality of vehicles; and wherein acquiring a plurality of parameters comprises: acquiring a plurality of tractive effort parameters of a command vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, each tractive effort parameter measured at a distinct time after the train has begun the journey; and acquiring a plurality of speed parameters of the train, each speed parameter measured at a distinct time after the train has begun the journey; calculate the tractive effort of less than all of the plurality of vehicles based on the acquired plurality of parameters; determine a plurality of combined tractive effort parameters of all of the plurality of vehicles based on a plurality of the acquired tractive effort parameters of the command vehicle and based on a plurality of calculated tractive effort parameters of the less than all of the plurality of vehicles; and calculate a distribution of a weight of the train based on the determined plurality of combined tractive effort parameters and based on a plurality of the acquired speed parameters of the train.