Hands-on for AAR, RRs D.C. tech event
Written by Railway Age Staff
The Association of American Railroads is offering an up-close view of technology as seen through a railroad lens.
The AAR and six Class I carriers on May 15 will present RailXTech, giving Congress, federal regulators, and members of the media a hands-on look at rail technology that is helping the industry meet the challenges of tomorrow. The event is designed to show freight rail’s technology investments are making railroads safer, more environmentally friendly and more efficient.
These cutting-edge technologies will be brought to life through a virtual reality experience, locomotive and track inspection simulators, hands-on demonstrations and one-on-one conversations with leading technology experts from America’s freight railroads.
Of the AAR members railroads, BNSF will show automated track inspection with a focus on autonomous inspection cars and drones, and hands-on inspection cameras and a drone equipped with a special inspection camera.
Canadian Pacific will display smart sensor technology for rolling stock with a focus on wheel safety featuring a full-size wheel.
CN Railway features bridge, steel structure and rail inspections featuring hands-on testing of steel rail components.
CSX plans a focus on the technology behind locomotive engineer training, and information about the AskRail app for emergency responders featuring a locomotive virtual reality simulator and demonstration of the AskRail app.
Norfolk Southern demonstrates big data analytics with a focus on track monitoring and replacement featuring a welding training virtual reality experience and ultrasonic track inspection tools.
Union Pacific shows rail car and track inspections with a focus on machine visioning featuring a flash LiDAR camera for 3D photos and a Xenics camera for thermal images.
The event takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Rayburn Foyer, 45 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Register at https://www.aar.org/railtech.
