http://www.peertopatent.org.au/patent/2007333518/activity A system for providing at least one of train information and track characterization information for use in train performance, including a first element to determine a location of a train on a track segment and/or a time from a beginning of the trip. A track characterization element to provide track segment information, and a sensor for measuring an operating condition of at least one of the locomotives in the train are also included. A database is provided for storing track segment information and/or the operating condition of at least one of the locomotives. A processor is also included to correlate information from the first element, the track characterization element, the sensor, and/or the database, so that the database may be used for creating a trip plan that optimizes train performance in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train. en-us Method, system and computer software code for trip optimization with train/track database augmentation In summary it is a railway scheduling system that has - sensors on trains to track various information about the train and track segment it is on that is useful for scheduling - modules on trains to communicate the information gathered from the sensors to remote computer systems or database that consolidates all information received from all trains - software that revises trip plan according to information received from the sensors, revised trip plan can then be transmitted back to the computer system on trains accordingly - computer system that can help train operator to operate the plan according to the trip plan Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:02:51 +1000 http://www.peertopatent.org.au/patent/2007333518/discussion Method, system and computer software code for trip optimization with train/track database augmentation Seems fairly straight forward - a database describing the layout and current state of the tracks, code to update it in real time, code to track the location and destination of all trains, dynamically replanning each trains route as conditions change. Only thing that doesn't seem to be directly mentioned is adjusting the plans to compensate for each other - although there is mention of trains having to meet up at passing points, so this may be in there. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:16:52 +1000 http://www.peertopatent.org.au/patent/2007333518/discussion