RailComm completes system installation at two yard projects

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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RailComm installed a yard automation system and computer-aided dispatch system at U.S. Sugar.
RailComm

In the month of December, RailComm completed installation of its products at two yards in Mississippi and Florida.

 

RailComm installed a remote switch control system for 19 machines at the north end of a Class 1 yard located in Jackson, Miss. The railroad now benefits from a wireless solutions that is capable of controlling combinations of switch machines to safely set entrance/exit routes through the automated portions of the yard. This solution helps avoid the manual operation of switch machines that can cause injuries and increases the efficiency of the north end of the yard, RailComm notes.

Yard personnel has the option of controlling the switch machines and routes remotely from the yard control office, from a hardened PC control panel located in the vicinity of the machines and locally by the use of pushbutton at each switch location.

Control is being provided by RailComm’s Domain Operations Controller system (DOC) – RailComm’s yard control application. Communications from and to the field are powered by RailComm’s communications platform RailComm RADiANTTM that uses wireless radios over a 2.4 GHz spread spectrum data network.

In Clewiston, Fla., RailComm installed a yard automation solution and computer-aided dispatch system at U.S. Sugar. After a site assessment in 2014, RailComm identified several solutions in U.S. Sugar’s manufacturing rail yard and with its mainline dispatch method, where automation and technology could add significant safety to its workers, while improving efficiency and productivity.

With RailComm’s yard solution, authorized personnel can safely route trains through the yard and onto the mainline from a remote location, without the need to manually throw switches that can cause injuries. The company notes that the DOC software also offers the yard controllers a user-friendly graphical interface that provides flexibility, speed and efficiency to their operation.

The mainline dispatch system uses a DTC block dispatching operation. U.S. Sugar uses DOC system’s standard components, such as Daily Operating Bulletins, Track Bulletins, Delivery Bulletins, GCOR Protection forms, Railroad Manager and reporting services.

With RailComm’s dispatch system, U.S. Sugar dispatchers replace their paper train sheet with an electronic form that enhances their ability to move trains with increased safety and productivity. From a single user interface, the dispatcher can add and access train consist information, as well as keep track of the train resources during its route.

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