WI-TRONIX SYSTEMS DEPLOYED IN WYOMING’S POWDER RIVER BASIN

Bolingbrook, Illinois – The Wi-Tronix Wi DownloadER and Wi-Tracker systems have been deployed aboard locomotives operating in the Powder River Basin which spans southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming. The Powder River Basin is the single largest source of coal mined in the United States and virtually all of it is delivered via rail. The coal delivered from this region keeps America’s power plants operational and represents a core business segment for railroads like BNSF Railways and Union Pacific Railroad. Monitoring Powder River Basin trains for efficient and safe operating practices is vital for the railroads that service this region.

The Wi DownloadER system connects to the Event Recorder of the locomotive and allows its data to be transferred using wireless technologies. The Event Recorder is the locomotive’s “Black Box” and records key operating parameters. Although Event Recorders are required by U.S. Federal Law to provide data in accident investigations, they also capture information during normal operation that can identify inefficient operating practices. The operating parameters are captured and analyzed to ensure that the locomotive is being operated efficiently. The techniques used by a locomotive engineer can cause fuel usage to vary by up to 10%. With diesel fuel at record high prices, it is critical to identify inefficient operating practices to reduce fuel costs and improve operating margins.

The Wi-Tracker system combines Global Positioning System, fuel level and operational data to provide an enhanced locomotive tracking solution. The deployed system uses advanced cellular communication technologies to acquire tracking data in even the most remote locations including Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. Up-to-the-minute tracking information enables network planners to improve the utilization of valuable capital assets and ultimately improve operating margins.

The Wi-DownloadER and Wi-Tracker systems deployed utilize Wi-Tronix’s Wi-PU Communication Management Unit (CMU) to transport data from the locomotive to the railroad’s information technology infrastructure. The Wi-PU is designed for the punishing environmental conditions encountered on locomotives. The Wi-PU is modular and can be configured for a customer’s specific communication needs. Available options include CDMA/1xRTT Cellular, GSM/GPRS Cellular, WLAN and satellite.

Wi-Tronix, LLC is headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois and provides products and services to wirelessly monitor high-value mobile assets in the rail, marine and industrial sectors of the transportation industry. Additional information about Wi-Tronix’s products and services is available at www.WI-TRONIX.com


Contact: Mike Heilmann, Executive Vice President @ (888) 948-7664 or mheilmann@wi tronix.com

Wi-Tronix, Wi-PU, Wi-Tracker, Wi-FuelSaver and Wi-DownloadER are the trademarks of Wi-Tronix, LLC