Method of marshalling cars into a train
A method of optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site and includes determining the track configuration at the site; determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled; determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled; and determining marshalling rules. A calculation is performed to determine an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules. The resulting sequence is outputted.
1. A method optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site comprising:
determining the track configuration at the site;
determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled;
determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled;
determining marshalling rules;
calculating an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules; and
outputting the sequence.
2. The method of claim 1 , including performing the moves of the optimum sequence to marshal the cars into a train.
3. The method of claim 2 , including recalculating of the optimum sequence while the moves are being performed.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the output is one of a printout, a screen and oral.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sequence is outputted to a screen with a checklist and including updating the checklist in response to entries from an operator.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calculating is performed on a processor and the results of the determining steps are one of inputted in and stored on the processor.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the site location and car locations are determined by a global position type system and inputted into the processor; and the track configuration at the site is determined by the processor from stored track configurations corresponding to the site location.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least two of the location of the cars, characteristics of the cars and marshalling rules are determined and transmitted to the processor.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the processor is one of a handheld device, a remote control locomotive device, a locomotive processor and a tower processor.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the site location and car locations are determined by a global position type system.
11. The method of claim 1 , including determining the actual moves performed for the marshalling of the cars into the train and storing the actual moves.
12. The method of claim 11 , including comparing the actual moves with the optimum sequence and preparing a report.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the car characteristics include one or more of tare weight, lading, length, type of brake system and type of car.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marshalling rules include a car destination and a route to be taken to the destination.
15. The method of claim 14 , including calculating one or more of fuel economy, time to the destination and in-train force of the marshaled train over the route to be taken and outputting a report of the calculation.
16. The method of claim 15 , including changing the marshalling rules based on the report and recalculating one or more of fuel economy, time to the destination and in-train force of the new marshaled train over the route to be taken and outputting a report of the recalculation.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the recalculation is performed one of automatically and in response to operator input.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed remote from an operator and the sequence is transmitted to the operator.
19. A method marshalling rail cars into a train at a site comprising:
determining each car's destination and route to be taken to its destination;
calculating one or more of fuel economy, time to the determined destination and in-train force of a proposed marshaled train of cars over the route to be taken to the determined destination; and
outputting a report of the calculation.
20. The method of claim 19 , including changing the location of the cars in the marshaled train based on the report and recalculating one or more of fuel economy, time to the determined destination and in-train force of the new marshaled train of cars over the route to be taken to the determined destination and outputting a report of the recalculation.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the recalculation is performed one of automatically and in response to operator input.