Extended AEI applications and integration into on-dock intermodal information and operations network

Abstract

This document gives a basic description of a system which will dramatically reduce manual labor, reduce operational idle times in on-dock intermodal yards and improve car turn-around times and car dispatch. This paper describes how automatic equipment identification (AEI) is used in conjunction with purpose specific PC software and electronic data interchange (EDI) technology to dramatically reduce, and at certain cases eliminate, all manual inventory functions of intermodal railcars and their intermodal loads (containers and trailers) arriving in an on-dock intermodal rail yard. All existing hardware in this system is in existence and has been well proven for its intended applications. Software for tracking railcars on track has also been successfully used. The software integrating the information received from the AEI reader sites and through EDI is under development at this time and the first phase will be implemented in September of 1995.