SOME BENEFITS OF COMPUTERIZED CONTROL OF RAILROAD OPERATIONS

The potential of computer systems has barely been tapped by the railroad industry in its efforts to achieve more effective operations, car utilization and higher levels of customer service. This study brings together some of the research that has been done in these areas and adds some ideas that may help the railroads to realize more of the computer's potential. It was felt that a better management system is required for the effective use of a computer-based railroad Operations Control System (OCS) and that the OCS could be developed in such a way as to help create this better system. Technical facets of car utilization are discussed in terms of how they relate to the general management system and the OCS. This discussion includes the role that an improved railroad management system built around an OCS could have in a improving railroad operations, including better car blocking practices, elimination of excessively long trains, and improved yard operations. The capabilities of several railroad computer systems are considered along with additional capabilities that could be programmed into an OCS to increase effectiveness.

• Corporate Authors:

  Indiana University, Bloomington

  Graduate School of Business
  Bloomington, Indiana  United States  47405
• Authors:
  • WHITE, W J
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 329 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blocking; Car operations (Railroads); Car utilization (Railroads); Control systems; Information processing; Logistics; Management; Management information systems; Productivity; Quality of service
• Old TRIS Terms: Car cycles; Operations control systems
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Freight Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00319682
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Dissertatn
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 29 1980 12:00AM