Vehicle convoy control system and method

1. A method comprising:

identifying, using a control system, a plurality of vehicle systems for combining into a convoy of vehicle systems, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle systems is formed from at least one propulsion-generating vehicle and at least one non-propulsion-generating vehicle;

directing the plurality of vehicle systems identified for combining to couple with each other for travel as the convoy from a first location toward a different, second location; and

in at least one intermediate location between the first location and the second location, directing one or more of:

a first vehicle system of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy to separate from the convoy; or

a second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy by coupling with at least one of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy,

wherein the at least one propulsion-generating vehicle and the at least one non-propulsion-generating vehicle in each of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy remain connected during separation of the first vehicle system from the convoy or during joining of the second vehicle system to the convoy.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting one or more of the first vehicle system for separation from the convoy or the second vehicle system for joining the convoy based on a destination of at least one other vehicle system of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the one or more of the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy or the second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy comprises automatically directing valves of an air brake system in the convoy to open or close for isolating a conduit of the air brake system in the convoy.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically directing valves in the convoy located on opposite sides of a location of a decrease in pressure to open.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the one or more of the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy or the second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy occurs during designated times of a takt time schedule.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the convoy is longer than a siding section of a route; and

directing the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy so that the convoy without the first vehicle system fits on the siding section of the route.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that different vehicle systems in the convoy are headed in different directions after an intersection in a route; and

directing the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy so that the first vehicle system travels in a first direction after the intersection and a remainder of the convoy travels in a different, second direction after the intersection.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the one or more of the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy or the second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy occurs while the convoy is moving.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

directing the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy responsive to one or more of determining that the convoy is experiencing a communication loss between the vehicles plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy; or

determining that the convoy is approaching at least one of a densely-populated area, an incline, a decline, an airflow restricted area, an inspection location, or a series of curves in a route.

10. A system comprising:

a control system configured to:

identify a plurality of vehicle systems for combining into a convoy of vehicle systems, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle systems is formed from at least one propulsion-generating vehicle and at least one non-propulsion-generating vehicle;

direct the plurality of vehicle systems identified for combining to couple with each other for travel as the convoy from a first location toward a different, second location;

direct, in at least one intermediate location between the first location and the second location, one or more of:

a first vehicle system of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy to separate from the convoy; or

a second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy by coupling with at least one of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy,

wherein the at least one propulsion-generating vehicle and the at least one non-propulsion-generating vehicle in each of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy remain connected during separation of the first vehicle system from the convoy or during joining of the second vehicle system to the convoy.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is further configured to select one or more of the first vehicle system for separation from the convoy or the second vehicle system for joining the convoy based on a destination of at least one other vehicle system of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is further configured to direct the one or more of the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy or the second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy by automatically directing valves of an air brake system in the convoy to open or close for isolating a conduit of the air brake system in the convoy.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is further configured to, responsive to detecting an unexpected decrease in pressure in an air brake system in the convoy, automatically direct valves in the convoy located on opposite sides of a location of the unexpected decrease in pressure to open.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is configured to direct the one or more of the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy or the second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy to join the convoy during designated times of a takt time schedule.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is further configured to:

determine that the convoy is longer than a siding section of a route; and

direct the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy so that the convoy without the first vehicle system fits on the siding section of the route.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is further configured to:

determine that different vehicle systems in the convoy are headed in different directions after an intersection in a route; and

direct the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy so that the first vehicle system travels in a first direction after the intersection and a remainder of the convoy travels in a different, second direction after the intersection.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is configured to direct the first vehicle system to separate from the convoy responsive to one or more of determining that the convoy is experiencing a communication loss between the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy or determining that the convoy is approaching at least one of a densely-populated area, an incline, a decline, an airflow restricted area, an inspection location, or a series of curves in a route.

18. A system comprising:

an electrically activated coupler configured to be connected with a first vehicle system in a plurality of vehicle systems in a convoy, wherein the electrically activated coupler is configured to automatically actuate to couple with a second vehicle system that is outside of the convoy responsive to receipt of a control signal such that the electrically activated coupler automatically couples the first vehicle system with the second vehicle system based on a destination of at least one other vehicle system of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the electrically activated coupler is configured to automatically disconnect from the second vehicle system such that the first vehicle system and the second vehicle system are automatically disconnected from each other based on the destination of at least one other vehicle system of the plurality of vehicle systems in the convoy.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the electrically activated coupler is configured to receive the control signal from a controller of the first vehicle system.