Patent ID: 8437924

Claim:
A haul route management system, comprising: a condition monitoring system in data communication with a machine operating in a work environment and configured to collect performance data associated with the machine; a torque estimator communicatively coupled to the condition monitoring system and configured to determine a drive axle torque of the machine and estimate a total effective grade associated with the machine based on the drive axle torque; a performance simulator communicatively coupled to the torque estimator and the condition monitoring system, wherein the performance simulator is configured to: compare the estimated total effective grade with a threshold level; simulate, if the estimated total effective grade exceeds the threshold level, a design performance of the machine based on the estimated total effective grade; compare design performance data with the collected performance data; perform a payload analysis of the machine if the collected performance data is inconsistent with the design performance data; and establish a payload limit of the machine based on the payload analysis.