Modern information systems and technologies used at marshalling yards

Abstract

Over a period of independence of Ukraine, the problem of modernization and improvement of Ukrainian railroads, for the account of modern information systems and technologies, has arisen. The marshalling yards perform the major role in cargo handling on the railroads; that is why, the task was to develop information systems, oriented on the marshalling yards. Existing automatic control system requires modernization and improvement. For example, Russian railroaders have already used automatic control system station. It has additional subsystems, which reduce the time of making-up and braking-up of stock and inform all the clients of departments and administration of the railroad about the situation at the marshalling yards. More advanced system, using satellite navigation “ITAUR”, was designed. It embodies all existing tools and control systems. “ITAUR” is implemented at Yaroslavl marshalling yard of the Main Northern directorate of Russian railroad. In the U.S. and Canada, in order to optimize the processes of sorting and minimize damage to cars, the system “PROYARD” is used. It helps to collect and process the data on all technical aspects of car movement, as well as weather conditions. In the next version of «PROYARD» «PROYARD II», there is the definition of the speed of the car, depending on several factors, including the type of cargo. In «PROYARD III» a more precise control of the delay mechanisms is introduced, that helps to increase the traffic capacity and improve industrial safety. At Ukrainian marshalling yards, there is a necessity to improve information system or to introduce new one to reduce the transit and increase profits. These new systems are ACS ST, «PROYARD», «PROYARD II», «PROYARD III», «ITAUR" or others.