Patent ID: 7359770

Claim:
A method for controlling the dynamics and energy consumption of a train during operation comprising receiving input signals from input means; processing input signals using algorithmic analysis with fuzzy logic control software, said fuzzy logic control software processes the input signals in relation to (a) grade topography cruise control and calculates the power and braking requirements for track in the far future zone, track in the future zone, track under the first half of the train zone and track under the second half of the train zone, the power and braking requirements for all four zones are combined to form a layer 1 output; (b) speed restriction enforcer and calculates the value and positions of speed restrictions for track in the far future zone, track in the future zone, track under the train zone, the results from the three zones are combined to form a layer 2 output; (c) throttle braking splitter and calculates the different amounts of power and braking required for distributed power trains and forming layer 3 output; and combining the layer 1 output, the layer 2 output and the layer 3 output to form a combined output, said combined output being processed through a driving rules module to provide train control settings, wherein said driving rules module sets parameter levels, combinations of control parameters and regulates the acceleration and braking rates.