n012944 It is just the mainstream media post you linked didn't tell the whole story.
Thanks for the additional source.
Convicted One I think that it's great they are being proactive. And my "200 in 20,000" observation was not intended to be critical. It just looked to me to be a "derived in the board room" type figure, intended to demonstrate commitment, such as how big of a commitment will sell as an adequate response? sort of thing. If I was in their shoes I'd be in the same boat. I think the improved analytics will be a tremendous help too.
I think that it's great they are being proactive. And my "200 in 20,000" observation was not intended to be critical. It just looked to me to be a "derived in the board room" type figure, intended to demonstrate commitment, such as how big of a commitment will sell as an adequate response? sort of thing.
If I was in their shoes I'd be in the same boat. I think the improved analytics will be a tremendous help too.
Well not quite. It is just the mainstream media post you linked didn't tell the whole story.
http://nscorp.mediaroom.com/2023-03-06-Norfolk-Southern-announces-six-point-safety-plan
"Norfolk Southern is evaluating the distance between hot bearing detectors, which currently averages 13.9 miles on its core network. The company will examine every location on its core network where the distance is more than 15 miles and develop a plan to deploy additional detectors where practical due to terrain and operating conditions. The company anticipates adding approximately 200 hot bearing detectors to its network, with the first installed on the western approach to East Palestine."
An "expensive model collector"
Overmod Convicted One 200 additional detectors in a 20,000 mile system Bet your bippy more will be mandated soon... But the real thing that needs to be accomplished is something I haven't seen carefully discussed -- the linking of detectors proactively to be able to sense things like evolving trends. The current detectors, and the 'network' structure, involve standalone installations, and the new NS incentive as I read it calls for more autonomous locations. On the other hand, there was evidently a monitoring capability that determined the critical location and temperature rise, and if that is remoted, it would not be "that" difficult to compare data, 'sensor-fuse' received results, and use a little AI/ES to analyze trends and determine potential actions, including the avoidance of heavy dynamic or brake transitions.
Convicted One 200 additional detectors in a 20,000 mile system
Bet your bippy more will be mandated soon...
But the real thing that needs to be accomplished is something I haven't seen carefully discussed -- the linking of detectors proactively to be able to sense things like evolving trends. The current detectors, and the 'network' structure, involve standalone installations, and the new NS incentive as I read it calls for more autonomous locations. On the other hand, there was evidently a monitoring capability that determined the critical location and temperature rise, and if that is remoted, it would not be "that" difficult to compare data, 'sensor-fuse' received results, and use a little AI/ES to analyze trends and determine potential actions, including the avoidance of heavy dynamic or brake transitions.
Pretty sure NS is already doing data trending and big data analytics on the data collected by their HBD's. When I hear the Wayside desk stop a train in Springfield, IL in less than six miles of distance past the detector east of town, they have 1) identified the car or cars with wheels or axles that are trending hot and, 2) analyzed the temperature reading trend profile to give the crew a fairly accurate guess as to what sort of problem they should be looking for when they do their inspection (e.g., handbrake, sticking brakes, bad bearing, etc.). Can't do all that in that short amount of time without some sort of automated, networked system.
Convicted One200 additional detectors in a 20,000 mile system
There's apparently only 1,000 on the system now, so there's that...
The acoustic detectors might be a better focus. I'd opine that such a detector might have caught the problem at East Palestine much sooner.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/norfolk-southern-derailment-safety-plan-springfield-east-palestine-ohio/
"Four of the six points in Norfolk Southern's safety plan relate to bearing detectors, which are installed on rail tracks and provide real-time warnings to train crews. The company said on Monday that it will develop a plan to add additional detectors "where practical," noting that it expects to add about 200 hot bearing detectors, with the first installed near East Palestine. "
200 additional detectors in a 20,000 mile system
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.