Rail and Bulk Logistics

APC Integration provides Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) systems that streamline tracking of rolling stock and consignments. This technology allows rail operators, bulk handlers and logistics companies to operate more effectively. Examples of potential benefits are:

• train build (consist) verification
• up to date consignment tracking, including container tracking
• bulk product tracking by type, grade, origin and mass on a wagon by wagon basis
• product cross-contamination prevention by confirming commodity grade and origin before offloading
• train hazard detection and countering
• empty, full and overloaded wagons
• loaded wagon profile out of specification
• wagon condition parameter out of tolerance
• improvement of wagon usage, preventative maintenance and maintenance planning

These benefits translate to improved operations efficiency, critical to gain the edge in today's business world.

Description of typical system

Trackside sensor systems

Combinations of the following trackside monitoring systems are utilized:

• Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) systems - wagons and/or containers are uniquely identified in rail sections and terminals and during loading and offloading operations
• In-motion weighbridges - wagons are weighed when leaving terminals, after loading and before offloading
• Profile monitoring systems - Train height and width profiles are monitored on a wagon by wagon basis when leaving terminals and confirmed when moving into rail sections with different height restrictions
• Health monitoring systems - critical rolling stock parameters are measured and used to identify and report hazardous conditions and to improve maintenance planning

Trackside data processors

Data acquired by the trackside monitoring systems is sent to trackside data processors in the vicinity. These processors collect the data, store the data, provide local processing of the data where required by the application, and send the data upstream to regional or central processing systems where the data is used in rolling stock and freight logistics applications.

Data communications systems

Typical communication systems between trackside and regional/central processing systems are cellular, landline, trunk radio, UHF radio or satellite. The communications system most suited depends amongst other factors on availability, cost and reliability.

Regional/central processing systems

These processing systems perform the following functions:

• acquire data from various trackside sensor systems
• perform built in testing of trackside and communications systems and provide error/problem reports to authorized personnel
• store data in memory and facilitate regular back-up and archiving of data
• process data to identify potentially hazardous situations and alert operations personnel
• make data available for use by the host application eg. train management system or bulk product management system
• receive data from the host application for use by the monitoring and tracking system

System Customisation

APC Integration's rolling stock and consignment monitoring and tracking systems are designed to be modular and can be efficiently customised to specific needs and integrated into existing business systems. This modular and flexible approach allows the rail operator, bulk handler or logistics organization to participate in the application design and so gain the business advantage possible through their domain knowledge and business experience.

For more information, contact APCI on (08) 8366 2300 or go to our contacts page.