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MultiModal Applied Systems Inc. and Innovative Scheduling Systems Inc. recently agreed to jointly develop, integrate and promote their software products, which are designed to help railroads plan and optimize train operations.

Innovative Scheduling will integrate its Railroad Blocking Model (RBM™) and Yard Closure Model (YCM™) with MultiModal's MultiRail® so users can improve car blocking and analyze yard closures.

The companies plan to provide marketing and sales support for their respective software — primarily in the Americas and Europe — and develop other products, such as locomotive planning system software.

"Since most of the major freight railroads currently use MultiRail, it makes sense to integrate the block and yard optimization tools into the same environment," said Innovative Scheduling founder and President Ravindra Ahuja in a prepared statement.

Adds MultiModal President Carl Van Dyke: "The addition of the RBM™ block optimization tool fulfills a key requirement for railway planners, that is, to optimize car blocking prior to assigning blocks to trains."

MultiModal already has used Innovative Scheduling's software to help CSX Transportation develop its ONE Plan, said Vice President of Business Development Kevin Foy. Under the plan, CSXT officials expect to create consistent train plans, improve blocking, and reduce transit times and terminal handlings.