One of the top goals for every railroad and transit organization worldwide is to minimize critical component failures that can negatively impact train schedules. Ensuring timely and safe train operations produces the greatest efficiencies in running a railroad, and the stakes are high when it comes to the maintenance and upkeep of signals and grade crossings. A malfunctioning power switch, a chattering track circuit, or a fault at a grade crossing are just a few common events that can negatively impact precise train schedules. With continued advancements in technology, there are new possibilities for enhanced safety and efficiency of rail testing & inspection procedures.
There are two key points to stay one step ahead of a potential failure:
- Accelerate the process of fault detection
Critical equipment failures delay train movement and can radically impact schedules. The ripple effect of one train stopping can disrupt railroad operations while impacting rail shippers, and rail passengers. Fortunately, due to vast improvements in processor power and communication networks, it is both viable and economical to proactively predict failures before they impact train schedules. We now can monitor critical components to ensure they are operating within defined metrics 24/7 and shift the focus from reactive to predictive maintenance.
- Minimize lag time in reporting and repairing equipment faults
The hyper connectivity enabled by advanced telecommunications is a great enabler for breaking down departmental silos. Real-time data access is key to accelerating information distribution and decision making. The key to preventing extended downtime is immediate communication to management of any identified equipment faults. This near instantaneous reporting allows for management to immediately dispatch maintenance teams long before the fault causes downtime and impacts schedules.
TekTracking has been developing innovative technologies to overhaul various aspects of rail operations. Our latest innovation ensures all signal and crossing tests/inspections occur on schedule, with any deficiencies reported immediately to signal supervisors, with complete documentation to clarify the field issue reported. We have launched SITE (Signal Inspection/Testing Efficiency), a true mobile application running on Android and iOS, designed to enable railroads to stay ahead of potential failure and minimize downtime.
The inspection and maintenance operations of many railroad companies still heavily rely on manual processes. SITE optimizes the inspection and testing process by providing stakeholders with real-time field information as well as digitized versions of all pertinent inspection information, including automatic scheduling of inspection/test tasks, electronic test procedures, status overview of upcoming inspection tasks, customized reports of test results and data, and supervisory alerts when inspection schedules are at risk of violating mandated inspection intervals.
Benefits:
- Improved insight into overall system performance, including planning, execution, tracking, and continuous improvement of signal and crossing inspections/tests.
- Automatic scheduling of all mandated tests/inspections including management alerts.
- Digitized data capture from mandated tests with real-time communication accessible to all stakeholders.
To learn more about this module or to book an online demo, please contact us.
