WESTERN PACIFIC GAINS CONTROL VIA ITS CENTRALIZED COMPUTER

A computer based Management Information and Control System is helping Western Pacific obtain maximum car utilization. The car distribution phase and the car tracing phase are already operational, and the waybill data phase is under way. The fourth phase will tie everything together to provide planning and forecasting for the car utilization function. During a six week period, a business car toured the railroad providing training on input-output equipment. The railroad is divided into eleven service regions, each with a service center and regional car distributor. Cars are cleaned and inspected after being unloaded, and cars are moved between regions only on orders. WP gives the same priority to moving empties as it does to loads to give better service and to keep down per diem costs. AAR UMLER data is available from the computer. If there are 10 or more errors in a consist sent to the computer, the consist is rejected. One central computer handles message switching and the other is the MICS processor. There are 28 teletype circuits to 27 stations and 20 offices. Expansion of communications is required, and microwave is being installed from Sacramento to Portola, 180 rail miles.

• Corporate Authors:

  Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

  P.O. Box 350
  Bristol, CT  United States  06010
• Publication Date: 1970-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 16-21
• Serial:
  • Railway Signaling and Communications
  • Volume: 63
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Car distribution (Railroads); Car utilization (Railroads); Communications; Data communications; Information systems; Management information systems; Microwave communication systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Management information and control; Microwave communication
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00041142
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Railway Signaling and Communications
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 23 1973 12:00AM