NYAB, Invensys Rail offer fuel-savings option
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefNew York Air Brake (NYAB) and Invensys Rail Corp (IRC) said Thursday they will collaborate in offering locomotive systems that combine the fuel economy benefits of NYAB’s LEADER™ (Locomotive Engineer Assist/Display Event Recorder) and IRC’s LFO™ (Locomotive Fuel Optimizer) train control products.
Together, the systems seek to optimize fuel economy and train handling inmultiple-unit locomotive consists. The companies said LEADER prompts engineers to apply optimal throttle and brake settings for the given train consist and track profile. LFO then automatically makes individual throttle adjustments among the locomotives in the consist to optimize fuel efficiency based on total power demand.
LEADER, currently in operation on several Class I railroads, has produced fuel savings in the range of 8% to 12%, and as high as 17%, the companies said. LFO has delivered average fuel savings of 3% to 4% in tests. “These two ystems complement each other remarkably well to address different aspects of the fuel savings opportunity,” said NYAB Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales Marshall Beck.
“LEADER and LFO bring a tested fuel savings solution to rail operations—LEADER providing the Driver Assist information to the engineer and LFO distributing those decisions among the locomotives,” said Invensys Vice President-Products and Innovation John Paljug.
The system is compatible with all EMD and GE locomotive models, features automatic calibration, and will work seamlessly with dynamic brakes and Positive Train Control (PTC). The combined systems can be effectively installed on existing and new locomotives.
