Integrating so-called “Big Data” is one of the biggest technical challenges the railroad industry faces over the next few years. It’s estimated that, by 2020, there will be some 44 zettabytes—the equivalent of 640 billion YouTube videos—of available data. New hardware and software tools are being developed to manage such data and, most important, render it useful. Enter Violet™, a new LDARS (Locomotive Data Acquisition Recording System) from Wi-Tronix LLC.
From the April 2016 issue of Railway Age: “Progress is about harnessing technology that promotes safety, efficiency and better customer service,” according to CSX. “Machine vision gives us new vantages of passing cars, from top-of-car views to undercarriage shots.”
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) has launched a new free app, “Tri-Rail Tracker,” that allows passengers to know the exact location of their Tri-Rail train and when it will arrive at their station.
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) on May 2, 2016 publicly unveiled the prototype four-car driverless trainset for the new Honolulu Metro, which is schedule to open in about two years.
InnoTrans, the semi-annual global railway industry trade exhibition and the largest event of its type, is offering discounted tickets to North American attendees. As well, this year’s event will have a strong Canadian presence. InnoTrans take place every 2 years in Berlin and show dates are Sept. 20-23, 2016.
LILEE Systems, a provider of advanced wired and wireless communication products, solutions and services for the transportation industry, on April 19, 2016 announced that “based on the accelerated acceptance of its solutions in the U.S.,” it has made key appointments to its executive team and expanded its operations into Europe.
Wabtec Corporation on April 26, 2016 reported results for first-quarter 2016, with higher sales in the company’s Transit Group more than offset by lower sales in the Freight Group, leading to $772 million in sales for the quarter. Changes in foreign exchange rates reduced sales by about $18 million compared to the year-ago quarter.
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) and the City’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) have partnered with INIT for the implementation of a smart card and mobile ticketing solution for use across TheBus and the Honolulu rail transit systems.
Prior to its rollout at the Wi-Tronix Chicago Conference on May 17, 2016, the company has revealed several features of its all-new Violet™ Locomotive Data Acquisition Recording System (LDARS).
Wi-Tronix, the global provider of LDARS (Locomotive Data Acquisition Recording Systems), has been identified for many years by its iconic purple Wi-PU. The company’s new technology, Violet™, described as “a revolutionary solution that will provide unprecedented monitoring for our clients’ high-value mobile assets . . . providing features that render all other LDARS obsolete,” will be sporting a new identification—orange.
