The present disclosure relates generally to train inspection and, more particularly, to automatic inspection and review of a train, having one or more locomotives and/or railcars, using remote sensing technology.
Train inspection is often a laborious and intensive process by train personnel. In the case of a train that has become non-operational, such as an unplanned braking event somewhere along the route of train travel, the locomotive operator onboard the train is required to inspect every railcar in the train consist to ensure that it is safe for the train to resume its journey. In some instances, the locomotive operator is also required to identify and/or rectify problems. Some causes of unintended stoppage include, but are not limited to: brake line disconnection, derailment, loss of air pressure in the brake pipe, and/or the like. Often complicating a stoppage is that a train operator often needs to leave the locomotive and proceed to manually inspect each railcar and the connections between each railcar (e.g., mechanical connections, pneumatic conduits, electrical lines, etc.). This process is already time-consuming for daytime and clear-weather inspections, and it is further complicated by dim-light or nighttime conditions, harsh or hazardous weather, dangerous wildlife, extreme temperatures, unsafe surroundings, infrastructure, and/or the like. Furthermore, for a train having 100 or more railcars, which may each measure 60 feet long, manual inspection may require the operator to walk over two miles (totaled down and back) before the train may resume its journey.
There are additional drawbacks to manual inspection. An operator's inspection is often conditioned on what the operator is searching for. If the operator is distracted by the train's surroundings or hampered by environmental conditions, the inspection may be compromised and rendered unreliable. Moreover, abnormal train conditions that are out of the sight-line of the operator may be overlooked entirely, and an operator may not notice conditions/symptoms undetectable by human senses, such as odorless gases, subsonic/supersonic frequencies, sub-surface damage, and/or the like. Additionally, the inspection by the operator is very subjective and is based on the operator's experience and health, and the quality of inspection may vary from operator to operator.
In any of the above circumstances, manual inspection procedures only attempt to identify anomalies and require manual recordation, if at all. In such circumstances, retrospective review of inspection is not possible for any potential forensic review at a later point in time.
Train inspection may also be required in scenarios where there is no suspected abnormalities, but where train inspection is routine for system checkup and/or train cataloging. In the case of cataloging multiple trains each having a number of railcars in a train railyard, manual inspection and individual railcar identification is laborious and potentially dangerous.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for non-manual inspection of a train. There is a need for automatic/remote-controlled inspection that does not require an operator to personally examine or physically venture along the train. Moreover, there is a need for such non-manual inspection to be able to sense conditions both within and outside the range of human sensing, and for such inspection to quickly and efficiently examine a train for abnormalities so that the train may be repaired if necessary, and resume operation.
Generally, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for automatic inspection of a train including one or more locomotives and/or railcars. Preferably, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for activating, or causing the activation of, a scanning drone including a sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train. Preferably, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for communicating a set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train. Preferably, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for receiving the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer-implemented method for automatic inspection of a train including at least one locomotive and at least one railcar. The method includes activating, or causing the activation of, with at least one processor, at least one scanning drone including at least one sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train. The primary inspection data includes at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. The method also includes communicating, with at least one processor, at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train. The method further includes receiving, with at least one processor, the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, activating, or causing the activation of, the at least one scanning drone may include deploying the at least one scanning drone from a storage compartment positioned on or in the at least one locomotive or the at least one railcar. The at least one scanning drone may be configured to return to the storage compartment after executing the at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may further include activating, or causing the activation of, with at least one processor, at least one micro drone. The at least one micro drone may include at least one sensor configured to obtain secondary inspection data of the train. Secondary inspection data may include at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. The method may further include communicating, with at least one processor, at least one set of micro drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one micro drone to: (i) deploy from the at least one scanning drone, (ii) inspect the train on a different travel path from the at least one scanning drone, and (iii) generate the secondary inspection data from detected conditions associated with the at least one railcar.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one micro drone may be configured to return to and dock in or on the at least one scanning drone after executing the at least one set of micro drone operating instructions. The at least one micro drone may be configured to affix itself to a part of the train after executing the at least one set of micro drone operating instructions.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include analyzing, with at least one processor, the primary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition. The method may further include communicating, with at least one processor, at least one notification to at least one operator including a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include analyzing, with at least one processor, the secondary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition. The method may further include communicating, with at least one processor, at least one notification to at least one operator including a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the primary inspection data may include at least visible light spectrum data. The method may include communicating, with at least one processor, at least a portion of the visible light spectrum data to a display device of at least one operator for real-time monitoring of the at least one scanning drone. The method may also include automatically generating, with at least one processor, the travel path using at least one of the following: rail track geolocation data, environmental data, train consist data, or any combination thereof. The method further includes storing, with at least one processor, the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data in a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium located onboard the at least one scanning drone or the train in a configuration to be later analyzed to detect at least one abnormal train condition.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a system for automatic inspection of a train including at least one locomotive and at least one railcar. The system includes at least one scanning drone including at least one sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train. The primary inspection data includes at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. The system also includes at least one server computer including at least one processor. The at least one server computer is programmed and/or configured to activate the at least one scanning drone and communicate at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train. The at least one server computer is also programmed and/or configured to receive the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one scanning drone may be configured to, when activated, deploy from a storage compartment positioned on or in the at least one locomotive or the at least one railcar. The at least one scanning drone may be configured to return to the storage compartment after executing the at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the system may include at least one micro drone including at least one sensor configured to obtain secondary inspection data of the train. The secondary inspection data may include at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. The at least one server computer may be further programmed and/or configured to activate the at least one micro drone and communicate at least one set of micro drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one micro drone to: (i) deploy from the at least one scanning drone, (ii) inspect the train on a different travel path from the at least one scanning drone, and (iii) generate the secondary inspection data from detected conditions associated with the at least one railcar.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one server computer may be programmed and/or configured to analyze the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition. The at least one server computer may be programmed and/or configured to communicate at least one notification to at least one operator including a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one server computer may be further programmed and/or configured to store the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data in a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium located onboard the at least one scanning drone or the train in a configuration to be later analyzed to detect at least one abnormal train condition.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer program product for automatic inspection of a train including at least one locomotive and at least one railcar. The computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to activate at least one scanning drone including at least one sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train. The primary inspection data includes at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. The program instructions further cause the at least one processor to communicate at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train. The program instructions further cause the at least one processor to receive the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to activate at least one micro drone including at least one sensor configured to obtain secondary inspection data of the train. The secondary inspection data includes at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to communicate at least one set of micro drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one micro drone to: (i) deploy from the at least one scanning drone, (ii) inspect the train on a different travel path from the at least one scanning drone, and (iii) generate the secondary inspection data from detected conditions associated with the at least one railcar.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to analyze the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition. The program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to communicate at least one notification to at least one operator including a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the program instructions may further cause the at least one processor to store the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data in a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium located onboard the at least one scanning drone or the train in a configuration to be later analyzed to detect at least one abnormal train condition.
Further non-limiting embodiments or aspects are set forth in the following numbered clauses.
Clause 1: A computer-implemented method for automatic inspection of a train comprising at least one locomotive and at least one railcar, the method comprising: activating, or causing the activation of, with at least one processor, at least one scanning drone comprising at least one sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train comprising at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof; communicating, with at least one processor, at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train; and receiving, with at least one processor, the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein activating, or causing the activation of, the at least one scanning drone comprises deploying the at least one scanning drone from a storage compartment positioned on or in the at least one locomotive or the at least one railcar.
Clause 3: The method of clause 1 or 2, wherein the at least one scanning drone is configured to return to the storage compartment after executing the at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions.
Clause 4: The method of any of clauses 1-3, further comprising: activating, or causing the activation of, with at least one processor, at least one micro drone comprising at least one sensor configured to obtain secondary inspection data of the train comprising at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof; and communicating, with at least one processor, at least one set of micro drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one micro drone to: (i) deploy from the at least one scanning drone, (ii) inspect the train on a different travel path from the at least one scanning drone, and (iii) generate the secondary inspection data from detected conditions associated with the at least one railcar.
Clause 5: The method of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the at least one micro drone is configured to return to and dock in or on the at least one scanning drone after executing the at least one set of micro drone operating instructions.
Clause 6: The method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the at least one micro drone is configured to affix itself to a part of the train after executing the at least one set of micro drone operating instructions.
Clause 7: The method of any of clauses 1-6, further comprising: analyzing, with at least one processor, the primary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition; and communicating, with at least one processor, at least one notification to at least one operator comprising a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
Clause 8: The method of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising: analyzing, with at least one processor, the secondary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition; and communicating, with at least one processor, at least one notification to at least one operator comprising a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
Clause 9: The method of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the primary inspection data comprises at least visible light spectrum data, the method further comprising communicating, with at least one processor, at least a portion of the visible light spectrum data to a display device of at least one operator for real-time monitoring of the at least one scanning drone.
Clause 10: The method of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising automatically generating, with at least one processor, the travel path using at least one of the following: rail track geolocation data, environmental data, train consist data, or any combination thereof.
Clause 11: The method of any of clauses 1-10, further comprising storing, with at least one processor, the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data in a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium located onboard the at least one scanning drone or the train in a configuration to be later analyzed to detect at least one abnormal train condition.
Clause 12: A system for automatic inspection of a train comprising at least one locomotive and at least one railcar, the system comprising: at least one scanning drone comprising at least one sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train comprising at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof; at least one server computer including at least one processor, the at least one server computer programmed and/or configured to: activate the at least one scanning drone; communicate at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train; and receive the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
Clause 13: The system of clause 12, wherein the at least one scanning drone is configured to, when activated, deploy from a storage compartment positioned on or in the at least one locomotive or the at least one railcar, and wherein the at least one scanning drone is configured to return to the storage compartment after executing the at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions.
Clause 14: The system of clause 12 or 13, further comprising at least one micro drone comprising at least one sensor configured to obtain secondary inspection data of the train comprising at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof; wherein the at least one server computer is further programmed and/or configured to: activate the at least one micro drone; and communicate at least one set of micro drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one micro drone to: (i) deploy from the at least one scanning drone, (ii) inspect the train on a different travel path from the at least one scanning drone, and (iii) generate the secondary inspection data from detected conditions associated with the at least one railcar.
Clause 15: The system of any of clauses 12-14, wherein the at least one server computer is further programmed and/or configured to: analyze the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition; and communicate at least one notification to at least one operator comprising a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
Clause 16: The system of any of clauses 12-15, wherein the at least one server computer is further programmed and/or configured to store the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data in a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium located onboard the at least one scanning drone or the train in a configuration to be later analyzed to detect at least one abnormal train condition.
Clause 17: A computer program product for automatic inspection of a train comprising at least one locomotive and at least one railcar, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: activate at least one scanning drone comprising at least one sensor configured to obtain primary inspection data of the train comprising at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof; communicate at least one set of scanning drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one scanning drone to obtain the primary inspection data along a travel path associated with the train; and receive the primary inspection data from the at least one sensor.
Clause 18: The computer program product of clause 17, wherein the program instructions further cause the at least one processor to: activate at least one micro drone comprising at least one sensor configured to obtain secondary inspection data of the train comprising at least one of the following: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof; and communicate at least one set of micro drone operating instructions configured to cause the at least one micro drone to: (i) deploy from the at least one scanning drone, (ii) inspect the train on a different travel path from the at least one scanning drone, and (iii) generate the secondary inspection data from detected conditions associated with the at least one railcar.
Clause 19: The computer program product of clause 18, wherein the program instructions further cause the at least one processor to: analyze the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data to detect at least one abnormal train condition; and communicate at least one notification to at least one operator comprising a warning of the at least one abnormal train condition.
Clause 20: The computer program product of clause 18 or 19, wherein the program instructions further cause the at least one processor to store the primary inspection data and/or the secondary inspection data in a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium located onboard the at least one scanning drone or the train in a configuration to be later analyzed to detect at least one abnormal train condition.
These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
Various non-limiting examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures where like reference numbers correspond to like or functionally equivalent elements.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the example(s) as oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the example(s) may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific example(s) illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosure. Hence, the specific embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting. Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of 1 to 10 is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10.
As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” refer to the receipt or transfer of one or more signals, messages, commands, or other type of data. For one unit (e.g., any device, system, or component thereof) to be in communication with another unit means that the one unit is able to directly or indirectly receive data from and/or transmit data to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection that is wired and/or wireless in nature. Additionally, two units may be in communication with each other even though the data transmitted may be modified, processed, relayed, and/or routed between the first and second unit. For example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit even though the first unit passively receives data and does not actively transmit data to the second unit. As another example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit if an intermediary unit processes data from one unit and transmits processed data to the second unit. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangements are possible. Any known electronic communication protocols and/or algorithms may be used such as, for example, TCP/IP (including HTTP and other protocols), WLAN (including 802.11 and other radio frequency-based protocols and methods), analog transmissions, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and/or the like.
As used herein, the term “mobile device” may refer to one or more portable electronic devices configured to communicate with one or more networks. As an example, a mobile device may include a cellular phone (e.g., a smartphone or standard cellular phone), a portable computer (e.g., a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc.), a wearable device (e.g., a watch, pair of glasses, lens, clothing, and/or the like), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or other like devices.
As used herein, the term “server” may refer to or include one or more processors or computers, storage devices, or similar computer arrangements that are operated by or facilitate communication and processing for multiple parties in a network environment, such as the internet. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, communication may be facilitated over one or more public or private network environments and that various other arrangements are possible. Further, multiple computers, e.g., servers, or other computerized devices, e.g., mobile devices, directly or indirectly communicating in the network environment may constitute a system, such as a remote train and drone control system. Reference to a server or a processor, as used herein, may refer to a previously-recited server and/or processor that is recited as performing a previous step or function, a different server and/or processor, and/or a combination of servers and/or processors. For example, as used in the specification and the claims, a first server and/or a first processor that is recited as performing a first step or function may refer to the same or different server and/or a processor recited as performing a second step or function.
Non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the method, system, and computer program product described herein improve over existing inspection methods by providing a non-manual, more efficient, and more precise solution to train inspection. It will be appreciated that “inspection,” as used herein, encompasses all motivations for surveying/detecting/identifying trains, locomotives, and railcars, including, but not limited to: suspected malfunctions, derailment, train damage, railcar cataloging, train identification, traffic controlling, and/or the like. Through coordination of one or more scanning drones, and the optional deployment of one or more micro drones from the scanning drones, a thorough and accurate inspection of the train may be achieved in a fraction of the time required by a train operator's visual inspection. Moreover, drone-derived sensor data is not prone to the distractions or misperceptions of personnel, and based on the types of sensors onboard the drones, a wider variety of data may be used for the inspection. Because non-limiting embodiments or aspects provide for drones that can fly around the train itself, the range and scope of inspection greatly exceeds that capable by manual inspection. Furthermore, the described train inspection is versatile, such that the drones may be controlled manually or automatically, based on onboard flight instructions and/or instructions communicated to the drones from a controller. Inspection data may be analyzed in real-time, by personnel or computers, to detect abnormal train conditions (e.g., damaged components, broken equipment, malfunctioning equipment, dangerous environmental conditions, track/vehicular obstructions, leaks, coupling errors, track/railcar misalignments, unsafe temperature ranges, the presence of unsafe gas/liquids, and/or the like). The inspection data may also be useful to automatically identify and catalog a train by locomotive and railcar identifiers that are detectable from a drone. Sensor data may also be stored onboard the drones or communicated to storage devices remote from the drones, for later review/logging, providing additional layers of verifiability. Many additional improvements are described and provided in the detailed non-limiting embodiments or aspects below.
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With further reference to the foregoing figures, and in further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, described systems and methods may be applied to trains in any inspection environment, including, but not limited to: along a rail line while the train is moving, along a rail line while the train is stopped, and in a closed yard having one or more trains (e.g., a storage yard, a holding yard, a hump yard, etc.). Moreover, the sensors of the scanning drones and/or micro drones may include radio frequency identification (RFID) or other like sensors to identify railcars and/or cargo. For example, each railcar may be provided with an automatic equipment identification (AEI) tag, and as a scanning drone and/or micro drone surveys a train consist, each railcar may be identified, located, and/or cataloged. In this manner, the position of a train, the composition of a train, and/or the like may be determined. Moreover, in response to receiving primary inspection data and/or secondary inspection data, one or more train actions can be taken, by at least one processor, including deactivating a power supply, communicating a warning notification (e.g., on a display, an indicator light, in a mobile device text transmission), charging a brake line, testing connections to onboard communication devices, moving the locomotive and/or railcars along the track, and/or the like. It will be appreciated that many configurations are possible.
With further reference to the foregoing figures, and in further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a scanning drone 108 may be deployed ahead of a train 102 (e.g., several hundred feet, a few miles, etc.) for inspection of a region and/or track, including while the train 102 is in motion. This may be triggered automatically or initiated by a locomotive operator or other personnel. The region and/or track may be analyzed for dangers/anomalies, and for systems including a scanning drone 108 launched from the train 102 itself, the scanning drone 108 may return and re-dock on the train 102 after completing its forward surveillance.
With further reference to the foregoing figures, and in further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, inspection data may include any number of one or more data types, including, but not limited to: infrared data, visible light spectrum data, temperature data, sample gas data, sound data, ultrasound data, x-ray data, LIDAR data, radar data, or any combination thereof. Along with inspection data, environmental data may also be detected (e.g., by scanning drones, micro drones, or sensors located on the train or other sensing devices). Environmental data may include, but is not limited to, weather conditions (e.g., wind speed, precipitation, etc.), ambient temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and/or the like. Environmental data may also be provided by third party sources, such as remote sensors, weather stations, or meteorological database systems (e.g., including data of approaching storms or recently occurring storms in the area of the train/track). Inspection data may be correlated with environmental data, to increase the precision of readings and to strengthen forensic reviews of train inspection.
Although the method, system, and computer program product have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments or aspects, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the method, system, and computer program product are not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/591,488, filed Nov. 28, 2017, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Transforming Rail Transportation,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62591488 | Nov 2017 | US |