Railinc Optimizes Umler®

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
(Railinc Photo)

(Railinc Photo)

Railinc on Feb. 21 reported that the process for updating railcar data has been “optimized” in the Umler® system to allow for “more efficient interline service.”

Umler® is the “source of critical data for more than 2 million pieces of North American rail, steamship and highway equipment” that railroads, equipment owners, agents, shippers, ports, suppliers, industry consultants, government agencies, and railcar service providers use “for the safe and efficient placement, movement and interchange of railcars,” according to Railinc.

The Umler® system not only “provides secure access for equipment management and reporting tools, helping equipment owners provide high-quality data to logistics partners and customers,” but also “identifies internal and external dimensions, capacities, weight information, and other specific characteristics of freight cars as well as intermodal trailers and containers.”

According to Railinc Product Manager Clayton Miller, “Those users who have been managing this massive database through periodic receipt of equipment update messages can [now], instead, have access to continuously updated railcar data.”

Following two years of development, the integrated cloud-to-cloud data sharing system was launched last year and is ready for implementation by railcar owners, lessors and railroads, Railinc reported. This is of “particular value during the daily interchange of hundreds of thousands of rail freight cars,” according to the Cary, N.C.-based company. “Critical safety information and updates to the characteristics of cars—including inspection dates and equipment modifications—are required before cars can be accepted by one railroad for movement by a connecting carrier.”

Railinc noted that the system provides another option for managing this data and is not mandatory.

“Our team listened to their industry peers and went to work to create a new resource for the rail industry to keep rail shipments moving safely and efficiently,” Railinc President Allen West said. “I am proud of their accomplishment.”

In related developments, Railinc on Feb. 16 reported that its TransmetriQ brand offers Asset Manager to provide railcar fleet owners and managers “instant visibility of the location, health and status of their assets.”

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