Union Pacific Now Offering Enhanced GPS Tracking for Intermodal Customers
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Union Pacific Stack Train (Image courtesy Union Pacific)
OMAHA –– Rail shippers have had a mixed bag of success in tracking their shipments while en route, and Union Pacific has introduced new technology to enable domestic intermodal customers to follow shipments more closely.
Union Pacific announced last week that it “is making intermodal shipping smarter and enhancing visibility with a new GPS-powered platform developed by supply chain technology partner Blume Global.”
The railroad says that GPS tracking is now incorporated in it’s 53-foot EMP and UMAX domestic containers. These containers are owned in partnership with other Class I railroads and, together, the combined fleets comprise the largest GPS-enabled, rail-owned container fleet in North America.
The heart of the upgrade is Blume’s enhanced GPS intermodal platform, providing customers with real-time, smarter visibility into their shipments.
The key improvements for customers are:
- Real-time notifications for critical deliveries
- Instantaneous alerts for load/empty and location status, reducing street dwell time (the time period a container is outside of the ramp in the customer’s possession, either loaded or empty)
- Customized geofencing, technology that creates virtual boundaries around real-world locations to enhance street visibility for optimal asset utilization
- Streamlined communication, resulting in fewer phone calls and manual updates
- Application Programming Interface (API) connectivity for full data integration
According to Union Pacific, “These tools help customers resolve issues faster, plan more effectively and reduce manual follow-ups, leading to an enhanced and reliable shipping experience.”
Kenny Rocker, executive vice president — Marketing and Sales, Union Pacific Railroad
(Photo by David C. Lester)
Kenny Rocker, executive vice president — Marketing and Sales at UP said “This is another meaningful step as we deliver the best customer experience possible. By combining GPS-enabled containers with real-time data and smarter visibility tools, we’re providing the transparency and reliability our customers depend on.”
