TransCore Unveils Next Generation RFID Rail Products

After a multi-million dollar investment in research and development, TransCore introduces a next generation multiprotocol radio frequency identification (RFID) rail reader and a field processor unit, the Train Recording Unit (TRU). Both are designed to support the rail market’s transition to updated automatic equipment identification (AEI) technology, used throughout the industry to monitor rail car assets.

The railroads have been instrumental in driving all aspects of AEI product development since the original design in the early ‘90s, including the products announced today. This new technology was developed and tested with major railroads to insure it meets their high standards of performance.

TransCore has a long-standing relationship with railroads around the world with systems in place in 25 countries.

Efficiently managing rail cars to meet today’s needs for exceptional customer service represents a large expense, ranging from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Consequently, in-transit asset visibility into location, status of a load, maintenance status, or avoiding the asset sitting empty in a rail yard poses an extraordinary communication process among multiple systems in an expansive transportation network. Using wireless RFID technology to monitor railway operational efficiency saves time and money by automating the process of tracking the location and status of railway equipment in both high and low speed environments.

George McGraw, TransCore’s executive vice president operations, which includes RFID manufacturing, explained, “Railroads across North America move more than approximately 1.7 billion tons of freight a year and need the latest technology to enhance visibility and security for shipment tracking and providing chain of custody of shipments.

“More crucial is that this technology is interoperable with their current investment in AEI technology and can transition to newer technology without rendering the current systems obsolete.”