Patent ID: 7698029

Claim:
A method for transporting an asset along a track to a destination, the method comprising: receiving instructions relating to shipment of the asset to the destination; automatically determining a track-based route along which the asset is to be transported to the destination, wherein determining the route comprises determining at least one candidate route, determining an integrity of the track extending along the candidate route to the destination and identifying the candidate route as the track-based route in instances in which the integrity of the track extending along the candidate route is confirmed, wherein determining at least one candidate route comprises determining at least one candidate route based on at least one of a maximum slope encountered along a candidate route, a number of turns encountered along a candidate route, or a number of incline or decline sections encountered along a candidate route; determining if the track needs to be reconfigured to transport the asset and, when it is determined that the track does need to be reconfigured, automatically providing for reconfiguration of the track; and commencing and thereafter controlling movement of the asset in an autonomous manner along the track-based route after determining the integrity of the track and while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination.