Technology

In the fast-paced world of locomotive transportation, time is of the essence. Unfortunately, a problem frequently haunts railway operators - the dreaded dead-won't-start (DWS) events.

Fuel consumption is a critical concern in the rail industry, accounting for a substantial portion of operational costs. Locomotives have a significant appetite for fuel, with consumption rates ranging from 4-5 gallons per hour while idling to nearly 200 gallons per hour for larger locomotive engine sizes at higher-notch settings. A rough diesel price of $4 per gallon can cost a locomotive over $800 in fuel per hour of operation.

The starting process requires a robust and efficient energy source when powering locomotives. Traditional batteries have long been used for this purpose, but supercapacitors have emerged as a game-changing technology in recent years.

Union Pacific has joined RailPulse, a coalition of railcar owners committed to accelerating the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology throughout the rail network. This collaboration aims to overcome challenges related to data latency, accuracy, integrity, and accessibility that hinder progress in the industry.