Methods and systems for mapping railroad tracks

1. A method for mapping a railroad track, said method comprising: the following steps carried out by a processor:

defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track;

determining coordinates of each track segment, and landmarks and switches positioned between adjacent track segments;

storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments;

linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map, and based on the coordinates of the landmarks and switches;

determining current coordinates of the track segment;

comparing the current coordinates of the track segment to coordinates stored in the database to determine if a current position of the track segment has changed;

updating the multi-dimensional map based on a change in the current position of the track segment; and

defining the plurality of track segments by changes in direction of the railroad track.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein defining a plurality of track segments further comprises defining a plurality of track segments that include at least one of a curved section of track, a substantially linear section of track, a turning track, a loop, and a siding.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein determining coordinates of each track segment further comprises determining at least one of a longitude, a latitude, and an elevation of the track segment.

4. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said computer program comprising at least one code segment configured to instruct a computer to:

determine coordinates of a plurality of track segments that form a railroad track and of the landmarks and switches positioned between adjacent track segments, wherein the plurality of track segments are defined by changes in direction of the railroad track and are defined in relation to landmarks and switches positioned along the railroad track;

store the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments;

link the map segments together to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map based on the coordinates of the plurality of track segments and on the coordinates of the landmarks and switches;

update the multi-dimensional map based on a change in the current position of the track segment; and

compare the current coordinates of a track segment to coordinates stored in a database to determine if a current position of the track segment has changed.

5. A computer program in accordance with claim 4 wherein said computer program further comprises at least one code segment configured to instruct a computer to determine at least one of a longitude, a latitude, and an elevation of the track segment.