• BNSF, Norfolk Southern obtain FRA waiver to begin testing ECP brake systems (3/30/2007)

9/15/2015

Wi-Tronix LLC: Wireless Processing Unit

Wi-Tronix LLC is an "end-to-end solution provider" for railroads' remote monitoring needs, company officials said. The firm offers the Wireless Processing Unit, or Wi-PU™, that uses smart technology to integrate with subsystems on locomotives to deliver real-time alerts to customers.

In addition to GPS tracking, the unit can interface with video cameras, event recorders, weather data, fuel sensors and other systems. The critical data from these systems is provided in real time to a back office website for a customer’s use. This information helps railroads operate their trains and entire fleet more efficiently, reliably and safely, Wi-Tronix officials said.

The company also offers a new product: in-cab audible alerts, which provide various warnings to engineers that can be heard even in noisy environments, they said. Engineers receive the alerts for overspeed, stretch braking and approaching severe weather.

Additionally, they are alerted instantly when they are approaching significant speed decreases and curves so that they can quickly reduce speed. Furthermore, alerts are sounded when trains are approaching dangerous weather so they can take necessary safety precautions.

To date, the Wi-Tronix system has been installed on more than 9,000 locomotives around the world on passenger, freight, commuter and Class I railroads.