Pivot
Advanced Railcar Remote Monitoring
Pivot is a cutting-edge remote monitoring solution designed to provide real-time insights into railcar operations. With its smart sensors and cloud-based platform, Pivot enables operators to track railcar status, optimize logistics, improve security, and reduce downtime, all from a single online dashboard.
By combining real-time alerts, predictive insights, and historical analytics, Pivot transforms railcar management into a data-driven, proactive process, ensuring that every asset is monitored, optimized, and fully utilized.
Why Pivot?
Pivot is an intelligent railcar monitoring solution that provides continuous, remote access to critical railcar data. Whether you need to track location, monitor load status, detect impacts, or secure cargo, Pivot delivers reliable insights in real time, helping you optimize fleet performance, reduce operational costs, and enhance cargo security.
By eliminating guesswork and providing real-time, actionable insights, Pivot allows rail operators, leasing companies, and shippers to make smarter decisions, increase efficiency, and protect their assets like never before.
Traditional railcar tracking relies on periodic updates, manual inspections, or assumptions. With Pivot, you gain real-time tracking and status updates, allowing you to see exactly where your railcars are, whether they are stationary or in motion, and what their current condition is. This eliminates delays in locating railcars and provides fleet managers with the tools they need to improve logistics planning and asset utilization.
Unexpected failures and unplanned maintenance can cause significant delays and financial losses. Pivot’s proactive monitoring and automated alerts allow operators to detect early signs of wear and damage, ensuring maintenance is scheduled before breakdowns occur. By analyzing impact events, brake engagements, and load conditions, operators can predict maintenance needs, reduce costly repairs, and extend railcar lifespan.
Railcars that sit idle in yards or remain unused in inefficient cycles cost money without generating revenue. Pivot helps you track how your railcars are being utilized, allowing you to identify underperforming assets, optimize rotation schedules, and ensure every railcar in your fleet is operating at peak efficiency. With real-time load and empty status tracking, you can also reassign railcars faster, eliminating unnecessary idle time.
Cargo theft and unauthorized access can cause significant financial and reputational damage. Pivot continuously monitors door and hatch activity, sending instant alerts if a door is opened unexpectedly during transit or in a high-risk area. By knowing exactly when and where a breach occurs, operators can take immediate action to prevent theft, tampering, or cargo loss.
As rail industry regulations evolve, having an accurate and reliable telematics system ensures compliance with safety and efficiency standards. Pivot is RailPulse Certified, guaranteeing that it meets the highest industry standards for data accuracy, security, and interoperability. This makes it easier for operators to generate automated reports, track operational compliance, and integrate Pivot seamlessly into existing fleet management systems.
Key Features
Pivot combines real-time railcar monitoring, intelligent sensors, and cloud-based analytics to provide operators with actionable insights that improve efficiency, security, and asset utilization.
- Track fleet movement in real time with precise GPS updates.
- Geofencing Alerts – Get notified when railcars enter or exit designated locations.
- Dwell Time Analysis – Identify inefficient stops and optimize scheduling.
- Detect sudden impacts that could indicate damage or handling issues.
- Real-time alerts for high-impact events, allowing for immediate intervention.
- Historical event logging for impact pattern analysis.
- Determine whether a railcar is loaded or empty at any time.
- Automate load tracking for accurate logistics planning.
- Identify empty railcars faster to speed up redeployment.
- Monitor and log door/hatch openings and closings for security tracking.
- Receive alerts for unauthorized access during transit or yard storage.
- Improve cargo safety and theft prevention measures.
- Detect if handbrakes are engaged or released.
- Prevent accidental rollaways and ensure safety compliance.
- Generate reports on handbrake usage across the fleet.
- Analyze fleet-wide trends and asset usage patterns.
- Improve railcar turnaround time with real-time utilization insights.
- Reduce underutilized assets and maximize efficiency.
How Pivot Works
Pivot is an advanced remote monitoring system that uses a central gateway and strategically placed sensors to continuously collect and transmit critical railcar data. This information is securely sent to Vision, ZTR’s IoT platform, where rail shippers, lessors, and operators can track, manage, and optimize their rail assets efficiently.
Pivot’s Key Components
Pivot consists of three core hardware components that work together to provide real-time railcar monitoring, ensuring enhanced visibility, security, and operational efficiency:
- Pivot Gateway (Central Hub)
- Installed on the railcar, it acts as the main communication hub.
- Equipped with GPS for location tracking and impact detection to record shocks or collisions.
- Collects data from wireless sensors and transmits it via cellular networks.
- Pivot Load Sensor (Load Status Monitoring)
- Detects whether a railcar is loaded or empty in real-time.
- Helps in optimizing fleet utilization and reducing idle times.
- Pivot Flex Sensor (Multi-Function Sensor)
- Monitors door/hatch open/closed status to prevent theft and contamination.
- Tracks handbrake status to ensure railcars are properly secured.
- Transmits alerts when unexpected status changes occur.
Data Collection & Transmission
- The Pivot Gateway continuously collects data from all connected sensors on the railcar.
- Data is encrypted and securely transmitted via cellular networks.
- If connectivity is lost, the gateway stores data and transmits it once the connection is restored.
Wireless Data Transmission to ZTR Vision
- Pivot uses cellular, GPS, and RF communication to securely transmit sensor data to the remote platform.
- Users can access Pivot’s intuitive web interface or integrate data into their existing fleet management systems.
- The platform provides dashboards, alerts, and reports for tracking railcars, analyzing utilization, and optimizing fleet performance.
Operators Access
- Monitor live fleet status on an interactive dashboard.
- Receive instant alerts for impacts, door openings, load status changes, and security events.
- Analyze historical trends for better asset utilization and predictive maintenance planning.
- Generate automated reports for compliance, safety, and operational insights.
Pivot’s intelligent system of sensors, a robust gateway, and ZTR Vision’s powerful analytics ensures comprehensive railcar monitoring and smarter decision-making.
Pivot + Vision
Pivot seamlessly integrates with Vision, ZTR’s advanced IoT and fleet management platform that provides real-time railcar monitoring, predictive insights, and fleet-wide analytics. Through Vision, operators can access, analyze, and act on railcar data remotely, ensuring better asset utilization, security, and operational efficiency.
Key Benefits of Connecting Pivot to Vision
Access live GPS location, movement, and status updates for every railcar in your fleet.
Get notified of impact events, door/hatch openings, load status changes, and handbrake engagements.
Identify underutilized assets, optimize deployment, and reduce inefficiencies.
Use historical trend analysis and sensor data to prevent failures and schedule proactive maintenance.
Generate detailed reports for regulatory requirements and operational improvements.
Pivot’s data is accessible through ZTR’s Vision platform, which features:
View live fleet data with interactive graphs and real-time reports.
Experience a user-friendly interface designed with simplicity in mind, allowing users of all levels to navigate and access critical information effortlessly.
Generate tailored reports and analytics to assess performance, monitor key metrics, and drive strategic decisions for your rail operations.
Set up alerts for critical railcar events.
Secure platform access for teams managing large fleets.
By combining Pivot’s sensor-driven insights with ZTR Vision’s analytics and reporting, rail operators can eliminate guesswork, reduce manual inspections, and make data-driven decisions that improve fleet performance.
RailPulse Certification
Pivot is now a certified solution integrated with the RailPulse platform, and delivering essential data such as real-time location tracking, load status, handbrake position, door/hatch status, and impact detection.
As a certified vendor, ZTR joins an exclusive group recognized for meeting RailPulse’s high standards in telematics performance, data integration, and accuracy. By providing shippers and rail operators with a centralized view of these critical metrics, Pivot helps optimize asset utilization, reduce downtime, and facilitate proactive maintenance, ensuring the safe and reliable transportation of goods.
Additionally, Pivot’s seamless integration with the RailPulse platform ensures that users benefit from data transparency and interoperability, contributing to smarter, data-driven decisions in their rail operations.
Pivot Devices
Pivot’s modular telematics system consists of three key devices, each playing a critical role in capturing, processing, and transmitting railcar data. The Pivot Gateway acts as the central hub, collecting information from the Pivot Load Sensor and Pivot Flex Sensor, and securely sending it to ZTR Vision for remote monitoring and analysis
The Pivot Gateway is the core processing and communication unit that aggregates data from all sensors and transmits it to ZTR Vision.
Provides real-time location tracking and movement detection.
Monitors impact events to identify potential railcar damage.
Collects data from Pivot Load and Flex Sensors, processes it, and securely transmits it to ZTR Vision via cellular, GPS, and RF communication.
Built to withstand vibrations, extreme temperatures, and harsh operating conditions.
The Pivot Load Sensor detects whether a railcar is loaded or empty, providing real-time visibility into fleet utilization.
Reduces manual yard checks and improves logistics planning.
Sends load status data wirelessly to the Pivot Gateway, which then transmits it to ZTR Vision.
The Pivot Flex Sensor is a versatile, multi-purpose sensor that enhances railcar security and operational efficiency.
Detects unauthorized access or improper sealing during transit.
Ensures proper brake application, preventing accidental movement and improving safety.
Sends collected data to the Pivot Gateway, which then relays it to ZTR Vision for remote access
Pivot devices are built for durability and ease of deployment, ensuring hassle-free, long-term railcar monitoring.
Built to withstand shocks, extreme weather, and rail industry conditions.
Can be mounted on any railcar in under 10 minutes.
No reliance on external power sources or solar panels.
Meets industry safety standards for extreme rail environments.
Operates for 8+ years without any maintenance needs. Easy battery replacement after that.
Works across different railcar types and integrates with multiple platforms.
Best in class encrypted data transmission ensures reliable, tamper-proof performance.
Each device works seamlessly within the Pivot ecosystem, ensuring real-time insights, automated alerts, and predictive analytics through ZTR Vision, where operators can optimize fleet management and improve operational efficiency.
Powered by BlackBerry®
Our Gateway and Sensors are based on Blackberry Radar, the leaders in security, power management and telematics solutions. All tracking data is secured with industry leading encryption and authentication services. The gateway and sensors use BlackBerry® QNX®, the OS for embedded systems.
Knowledge Hub
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Get Started with Pivot
Upgrade your railcar fleet with intelligent remote monitoring. Gain complete visibility, reduce costs, and improve security with Pivot’s cloud-based telematics solution.
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