A ride control system includes a central controller configured to synchronize movements of separate groups of ride vehicles along a path. Each of the separate groups of ride vehicles includes multiple individual ride vehicles unconnected to one another and forming a virtual train. Each virtual train is assigned one or more schedules having multiple expected positions along the path and multiple expected timestamps. Each of the expected timestamps of the multiple expected timestamps are associated with respective expected positions of the multiple expected positions. The ride control system also includes multiple vehicle controllers. Each vehicle controller of the multiple vehicle controllers is communicatively coupled to a respective individual ride vehicle of the multiple individual ride vehicles. Each vehicle controller is configured to control a speed of the respective individual ride vehicle along the path based at least on the one or more schedules.