Connected freight trains are better freight trains
- Freight cars are becoming a smart and connected mode of transport
- Connectivity is the key to efficient logistics processes
- Connected freight cars communicate information on their position, condition, and climatic conditions and can monitor safety-critical components“We’re taking connectivity in a new direction – extending its range beyond the road,” says president of Bosch Engineering Bernhard Bihr
- "We’re taking connectivity in a new direction – extending its range beyond the road,” says president of Bosch Engineering Bernhard Bihr
Bosch is using the Internet of Things, which connects real and digital information, to revolutionise rail freight. More than 300 freight cars have already been equipped with the new Bosch system and they will put the technology through its paces on railways in Europe, North America and Australia. The system is scheduled to enter production in mid-2016.
“We use intelligent, connected sensors to capture real-time data from freight cars and process it online. This means the cars themselves can determine whether or not the cold chain has been maintained, predict when a delivery will arrive and provide information about when they will next require maintenance,” says Bernhard Bihr, president of Bosch Engineering.
Connected technology for efficient logistics
To withstand tough operating conditions like temperature fluctuations, vibration, dirt and humidity, railway engineering must be simple and robust. In 2013, almost 400 million tonnes of goods were transported along 40,000 kilometres of railway track in Germany alone.
One reason why progress in connectivity has been slower in rail freight transport than in other sectors is that freight cars have neither their own power supply nor their own sensors. Bosch Engineering is now closing this gap with a connected asset intelligence system for rail freight. This system draws on the company’s tried and tested technologies with components from large-scale automotive production.
“Our automotive technology can also be applied in other sectors, including rail transport. This new system allows us to make the logistics chains across rail, road and sea transparent while manage the increase in freight transport more efficiently,” says Bihr.
Accurate localisation
Being able to track deliveries continuously and know if they will arrive on time is a standard requirement for road shipments. This is has not traditionally been the case for rail transport, since freight cars have been unable to supply the required information. Getting the timing right – especially when relying on a combination of rail, road and sea transport – is essential to ensuring the efficiency of logistics processes. With the new asset intelligence system, connectivity hardware installed in freight cars provides the necessary information instantly, thus making it possible to pinpoint the location of each car. As a result, rail shipments can be tracked and monitored from start to finish. This will save money, improve logistics planning and help ensure more reliable scheduling with increased delivery punctuality.
Monitoring goods to increase security
By measuring factors such as temperature and air humidity, sensors inside the car provide answers to these questions. The connectivity hardware sends the information gathered to a server and makes it available through an online portal. Should the temperature inside the car pass a critical threshold, the system immediately raises the alarm and notifies the control centre. Transport conditions are monitored at all times along the entire route and the system ensures that food always arrives fresh at its destination.
Transparent vibration monitoring
Manoeuvring and loading goods for transport can result in abrupt movements and vibrations, strong enough to damage freight cars and the goods they carry. The connectivity hardware features a triaxial acceleration sensor that measures how strongly, how often and exactly where freight cars are buffeted and analyses the data. This makes it possible to determine the cause of any potential damage to the cars or their loads and verify the conditions of transport.
Precise mileage recording
All passenger cars are fitted with an odometer, which shows the number of miles driven and when to schedule the car’s next service. Thanks to Bosch, this is now also possible for railroad freight cars. Operators can track the GPS position of a given car on a map of the rail network and determine how far it has travelled. Using this information, they can then schedule servicing intervals based on mileage and condition making any necessary repairs in good time. Therefore minimising downtimes and costs.
Geofencing and burglar alarms for increased efficiency and security
Operators also frequently require information on when a train enters the station grounds or whether it has made an unplanned departure from the expected route. This is where geofencing comes in. After a virtual zone has been defined online, each freight car automatically sends an e-mail or text message once it reaches the zone boundary. The arrival notification feature makes it possible to generate electronic delivery notes automatically and optimise logistics processes. And by using information about if and when a car’s doors have been opened, the system increases the security of goods in transit.
Press photos: 1-BEG-21859, 1-BEG-21860, 1-BEG-21861, 1-BEG-21862, 1-BEG-21863, 1-BEG-21864, 1-BEG-21865, 1-BEG-21866, 1-BEG-21867
Further information:
Bosch and SBB Cargo are working on a connected freight car
Bosch makes freight trains part of the internet
Bosch compact Bosch Engineering
Videos:
Condition monitoring system for rail freight transportation: http://bit.ly/1YqIaXD
Footage of freight transportation by rail: http://bit.ly/1PfBmo8
Collision warning system for light rail and trams: http://bit.ly/1FMcgMp
Bosch Engineering: http://bit.ly/1KZLjB9
Contact person for press inquiries:
Rianne Ojeh, 01895 838 822, Rianne.Ojeh@uk.bosch.com
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 360,000 associates worldwide (as per April 1, 2015). The company generated sales of 49 billion euros in 2014.* Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including its sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2014, Bosch applied for some 4,600 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.”
The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, http://twitter.com/BoschPresse.
*The sales figure disclosed for 2014 does not include the former joint ventures BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH (now BSH Hausgeräte GmbH) and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (now Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH), which have since been taken over completely.
