1. A system comprising: a sensor configured to be logically or mechanically coupled with a vehicle that travels along a route, the sensor configured to sense radiation emitted or reflected from the route, the sensor configured to generate a first signature representative of the radiation that is sensed from the route; and one or more processors configured to compare the first signature with a stored signature of radiation emitted or reflected from an undamaged route, the one or more processors also configured to determine a rate of change to the route based on a comparison of the first signature with the stored signature, and the one or more processors are further configured to implement one or more actions in response to the rate of change of the route, wherein the one or more processors are configured to direct a vehicle controller of the vehicle to autonomously slow movement of the vehicle responsive to the one or more processors determining that the route is damaged.