Written by Merijn Koolstra
SmartRail Solutions | 5 mins read
– The need for further digitization of information provision in rail transport also requires smart solutions to support this. It is important to look for ways to improve efficiency. This applies in particular to activities that are carried out outside by the operators on the track. This can include the following activities:
- Shunting of wagons
- Technical inspection of wagons
- Registering a defect on a wagon
- Brake test of a train
- Connection test of a train
The Wagon Shunting App is a mobile application (App) that can be run on an Android or Apple device. Via this app it is possible for a rail operator to register the movements of wagons (= shunting activities) directly while standing in front of the wagons. This information (the result) can then be sent to the back-end system. In addition, there is also an option in the app to request the position of a wagon and, if desired, additional information about a wagon.
Wagon Shunting App
Many rail operators still manage these activities by telephone, whereby the result is not processed digitally, but is processed separately in a back-end system.Improve efficiency with Wagon Shunting App
Many rail operators still manage these activities by telephone, pen and paper. The result of the shunting activities is registered on paper by the operator and will be manually entered into the back-end system. Obviously it is clear that this is not efficient and can also lead to incorrect data because information must be processed from paper into the back-end system (ERP system)
Ab Ovo is the partner to optimize / digitize these processes by means of mobile applications and monitoring tools for the management, execution and control of these activities. One of these tools is the Wagon Shunting App with which the administration of wagon movements (shunting) can be automatically processed in the back-end system.
With this app, the rail operator has the option to:
- Request the occupation on one or more tracks from the main system
- Make a request to the infra manager to block one or more tracks (switches)
- Register the (new) position of wagons after shunting
- Return the information of the (changed) position of wagons to the main system.
Wagon Shunting App
It is important to mention that the authorities (infra managers, local government) must at all times know the exact situation of which wagons with which load are on which track.Save time and increase the reliability & safety of rail operations
It is important to mention that the authorities (infra managers, local government) must know at all times the exact situation of which wagons with which load are on which track. This information is needed due to safety protocols. Being able to carry out and process these movements in real time, the system will always be up to date. What we have seen and learned from practice is that working with mobile applications like the Wagon Shunting App is of great value for reliable and ‘fast’ follow-up of administrative processes in the rail transport.
Working with the Wagon Shunting App will save time and increase the reliability and safety of the rail operations.
It is also possible to opt for a solution in which the assignment for a particular shunting is forwarded by a logistics coordinator to the rail operator’s mobile device. The need for this depends on how tasks and responsibilities are divided within the company. Assignments that are created in the back-end system by a coordinator can then be sent via an API to an operator’s mobile device. This feature is not part of the Wagon Shunting App, but can easily be added if desired.
Wagon Shunting App
Working with the Wagon Shunting App will save time and increase the reliability and safety of the rail operations.More information
For more information, please contact Merijn Koolstra via merijn.koolstra@ab-ovo.com or request a discovery session to learn more about kick-starting mobile innovations in your company.
Merijn Koolstra is a business consultant and has been working for Ab Ovo for more than 8 years. He studied logistics in Rotterdam and has more than 15 years of experience in the world of transport and logistics so he knows what he is talking about. Looking for smart (IT) solutions for business processes together with the customer is something he gets enthusiastic about.
