In an uncertain economic environment, it’s unsurprising that more North American railroads are leveraging the latest dispatching software to future-proof operations and maximize efficiencies.
As Tracsis is a leading provider of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems for Positive Train Control networks that support all common rulesets across North America, we’ve written this article to explain the function, features and benefits of this rapidly evolving rail technology.
How do Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems work?
Computer Aided Dispatch systems utilize data capture and analysis to enforce a consistent ruleset and increase safe train movements.
Advanced CAD software can significantly minimize the risk of human error by giving dispatchers much greater visibility over an entire rail network in one place. In addition, Computer Aided Dispatch systems are being designed to be highly adaptable and agile so they can suit the specific requirements of a diverse range of freight and passenger railroads.
For example, at Tracsis, we have developed our DOC Dispatch system to seamlessly integrate different train types, territories and rulesets, so rail operators only need to manage and maintain one system on one platform, accessible through a user-friendly graphic interface.
Tracsis DOC Dispatch can be used across Positive Train Control (PTC), Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) and dark territory networks, is highly scalable and adaptable, and can be easily integrated with third-party platforms and databases. In addition, it can be set up to work with servers located on premises or via the cloud for maximum flexibility and adaptability.
What are the benefits of Computer Aided Dispatch?
For both freight and passenger rail operators, there are common benefits to investing in Computer Aided Dispatch:
Improved operational efficiency
Cost savings
Improved rail safety
Improved overall performance
Superior visibility over your rail network
Safe and consistent rule set enforcement
Reduced risk of human error
Integration with other rail automation systems, and
Future-proofing your network.
Business Case Study: Rio Grande Pacific Corporation
A privately-owned railroad holding company based in Texas, the Rio Grande Pacific Corporation serves both the short line and transit industries, and includes Fortune 500 companies among its 140 freight customers. RGPC services include managing regional freight railroads, passenger operations, and outsourced train dispatching.
RGPC has leveraged our innovative Tracsis DOC Dispatching system to streamline their operations and to ensure the dispatch services they offer to other railroads continue to be second to none.
RGPC opted for a cloud-hosted version of Tracsis DOC Dispatch, which gives them the ability to add and adjust new railroads without on-premises updates, ensuring they can quickly address customer needs.
The Rio Grande Dispatch Center uses the Tracsis Dispatch software to support primary and backup rail dispatching for 11 short line and commuter railroads, as well as enabling more than 1,100 crew starts and the issuing of around 1,800 monthly track warrants.
Our Computer Aided Dispatch system enables Rio Grande’s dispatchers to gain greater visibility of their complex operations and to combine different trains, rulesets and territories via one platform.
In addition, the Rio Grande Dispatch Center maximizes critical DOC Dispatch capabilities to easily integrate into third-party platforms and databases, increasing their ability to share mission-critical information across their whole organization.
How is Tracsis enhancing the capabilities of Computer Aided Train Dispatch?
As a company that has been working to advance rail dispatch technology for 25 years , we work in close collaboration with our rail partners to identify integrations and innovations that add value.
For example, our next generation Positive Train Control systems are easily configurable, reliable and highly compatible with third-party systems, incorporating advanced CAD and Back Office Server (BOS) technologies.
We are ahead of the curve in the development of a mobile app to improve communications in rail maintenance and construction; our Digital Track Warrant (DTW) app provides workers with securely authenticated approval to access safe track points, reducing the risk of error from misheard or misunderstood spoken exchanges.
In collaborative partnership with our customers, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what rail dispatch technology can do.
Tracsis is the leading provider of software-based rail solutions, trusted by railroads in North America including Class I, passenger and short line operators. Contact us to find out more about the latest developments in Computer Aided Dispatching.
