Container Securement Working Group
Container Securement Objective: Identify solutions for automating the securement of containers moving in double stack train service Business Case: Safety exposures Eliminate ascends / descends / traversing on rail car Current processes – 1 Million ascends / descends per week Efficiency gains Automation
Container Securement Interim solutions: Semi Automated IBCs: Removes IBC storage on railcar Decreases railcar ascends/descends/traversing Can be applied / removed from ground level Removes locking / unlocking process Currently utilized in port environments Requires testing for use in rail environment IBC Carts: Removes ascends / descends Efficiency gains in the securement process Currently utilized in some rail environments
Container Securement Long Term Solutions – Moving To Automation: Container Integration: Automated / Integrated locking systems Suppliers currently in the market “Nested” container design Requires testing Rail Car Design: Opportunities exist Benefit a long way off – 50 year assets Robotics: Evolving / Interim approaches
Container Securement Next Steps: Funding required to develop / test identified solutions Where will the funding come from? Funding would move the working group to a Task Force Task Force would test, develop, and report potential solutions Legal concerns of picking / assisting specific suppliers??