SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE SYSTEM TO AVOID DESTRUCTIVE RESONANCE

A system (for controlling a vehicle system along a route) includes a route geometry sensor, a speed sensor, and a controller. The route geometry sensor monitors a route curve profile for a segment of the route. The speed sensor monitors a speed of the vehicle system. The controller identifies a characteristic frequency associated with the vehicle system. The controller determines a periodic driving force exerted on the vehicle system from the route based on the route curve profile and the speed of the vehicle system. The controller analyzes the periodic driving force with the characteristic frequency to determine an excitation rate. Responsive to the excitation rate exceeding a designated threshold, the controller designates tractive efforts or braking efforts for implementation by the vehicle system to change the speed of the vehicle system such that the excitation rate falls below the threshold.