Streamlining rail operations with RFID Jarkko Miettinen Vice President of Sales, Confidex Radio frequency identification in rail operations

Global ISO standard for data communications (ISO C) Comply with the specifications of interoperability for telematic applications for freight (ERA) Advantages of RFID No battery required. Life-time expectancy up to 50 years Readable from up to 30 meters at speeds up to 200km/h Passive RFID tags are maintenance free and extremely durable in outdoor conditions

RFID tags are read by stationary or mobile RFID devices

VR Group was one of the first to take the ISO C RFID technology into use RFID was selected to improve the efficiency of its rail-yard processes management of rail-car inventory and maintenance orders overall customer service to deliver more detailed information Radio frequency identification in rail operations

Rail yard processes Personnel can identify wagons automatically from a distance with handheld RFID readers Wagons are identified with RFID and the information is automatically transferred to the logistics system. Unlike earlier with the use of pen and paper, now RFID ensures that all changes in the wagon orders or orientation can be updated easily and without human errors Radio frequency identification in rail operations

RFID can bring substancial benefits for railway network management Combining the RFID data from the rolling stock with detectors along the railway tracks improves preventive maintenance and reduces the risks of accidents Radio frequency identification in rail operations Such system can provide e.g. alarm of over-heated axle bearing from a wagon on a specific train at a specific point and time.

Maintenance costs for rail networks and rolling stock have been increasing due to the expanding network, aging and due to more complex systems Radio frequency identification in rail operations Reliable part detection and item level information can be improved by using RFID tags in parts In the near future RFID tags can also collect sensory data to provide additional information for maintenance

A Finnish high-tech company for RFID tag solutions Global reach through sales offices and over 100 partners More than 700 million products sold in over 60 countries Confidex contactless RFID tickets are in use daily by over 2 million passengers About Confidex