Title: Handle with Care: Equipment Providers Aim to Automate More Material Handling Processes to Answer Railroads' Call for Safer, Speedier Machines
Abstract: This article discusses the new technologies being developed to improve railroad maintenance of way (MOW) and to increase the speed of material handling processes. The author focuses on the provision of Multi-Purpose Machines (MTM) and Programmable Linear Unloading System (PLUS) train services. The MPM system allows crews to place materials such as ties and rail ahead of MOW gangs, and to clean up after natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, and floods. As railroads are demanding more and more automation to increase speed and improve safety to reduce costs and increase gains, providers continue to invest heavily in research and development. Additional systems described include a mobile, self contained material-handling package featuring a side-boom excavator equipped with a special undercarriage to operate quickly atop rail cars, an automated ballast distribution system, and loader/unloader situated atop rail cars and has Global System Positioning (GPS) capabilities to increase position and speed of an operation.
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
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