IT APPLICATIONS IN TRAIN OPERATIONS

BY:PRAVIN PARMARSr Professor(T.M.)

Apr 21, 2023 1

Why IT applicationsGigantic DimensionsOperationsPayment Man power PlanningData captureData Mining Administration and Management

Apr 21, 2023 2

Indian Railways Gigantic OperationsDAILY TRANSPORT OUTPUT

23 MILLION PASSENGERS 3 MILLION TONNES FREIGHT

LOADING 12,617 PASSENGER TRAINS RUN > 7000 FREIGHT TRAINS

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Assets of I R (2013-14)

65,436 route kilometers 63,870 Passenger Coaches 9,956 locomotives 2.44 lakh wagons 7172 block stations 13.07 lakh work force

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IT APPLICATIONS IN OPERATIONS1. FOIS (Freight Operations Information System)

2. ICMS (Integrated Coaching Management System)

3. COA (Control Office Application)

4. PMS (Parcel Management System)

5. SATSaNG (Software Aided Train Scheduling and

Network Governance)

6. CMS (Crew Management System)

7. RFID (Radio frequency Identification)

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Freight Operation Information System (FOIS) - Back ground

1051 Million Tonnes of Freight Loading in a year 2013-14

Freight trains bring two thirds of the Indian Railway revenues

The major commodities carried by Indian Railways are Coal, Iron Ore, Food grains, Iron & Steel, Cement, Petroleum products, Fertilizer and Containerized Traffic.

specialized wagons for different types of commodities.

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Freight Operation Information System (FOIS) - Back ground

Freight trains do not run to a fixed schedule thus making Freight Operations a highly Information Intensive activity.

Based on this information managers make Allocation Decisions  continually to dynamically Optimize Utilization of resources like wagons, locomotives, crew and paths on the network.

Real time information allows good decision making and thus ensures high levels of mobility within the system.

This realisation has led to the development of Freight Operations Information System (FOIS).

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Freight Operation Information System (FOIS)• Freight Operations Information System

– Conceived in 1982– Led to formation and functioning of CRIS in

1987 – RMS pilot implementation started in 1999

on NR– TMS implementation started in 2006– E-payment –pilot project 2007

• Being extended to major customers in phases

– FOIS terminals being extended to customers

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FOIS - OBJECTIVE A Strategic Advantage to both IR and its

customers. The implementation of the system is envisaged to eventually achieve the following:- 

1. Extension of the current business practice of bulk movement in train load formation to  piecemeal traffic to increase the market share by clubbing and moving together similar  type of stock of "Hub & Spoke" arrangement.

2. Global tracking of consignments in real time whether in rakes or in individual wagons. The insight and pipeline of consignments would be seamlessly available for timely planning and just in time inventory management. 

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FOIS - OBJECTIVE3. Facilitate acceptance of customer's

orders, billing and cash accountal from identified  nodal customer centers which, may not necessarily be the handling terminals. These  facilities could even get extended to customer's premises and along with introduction of   e-commerce benefit both by reducing the burden of logistics management.

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FOIS MODULESFOIS comprises two major subsystems :1. Phase I -Rake Management

System (RMS) for handling the operational aspects of IR.

2. Phase II -Terminal Management System (TMS) for handling the commercial aspects of IR.

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Rake Management System (RMS)RMS captures the following events in real time

• Customer indents

• Wagon supply - date and time

• Departure after loading

• Running particulars - arrival/departure at stations enroute with attachments/detachments if any

• Arrival at destination

• Handling and delivery at destinationApr 21, 2023 12

RMS provides information on:

1. Train Operations2. Interchange & Forecast 3. Rake based consignment tracking4. Train in pipeline5. Wagon type wise stock holding6. Consist reporting on summary basis7. Terminal handling performance8. Loco holding, outage and power on

line.

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RMS – Query SetConference Set – Interchange, Forecast,

Loads on Run, Stream-wise Pipeline, Traffic Flow, Terminal Position, etc.

Managerial Set – Yesterday’s Interchange, Load in Pipeline, Stock, Demand, Rake, etc.

Operations Control – I/C, Stock, Rake, Loco, Trains, Demand, etc.

Statistical Report – I/C Summary, Load, Stock

Messages – Info. Sharing, instructions/feedback

Apr 21, 2023 15

Terminal Management System (TMS)

Introduced as phase II of FOIS in 2006 Enables management of activities at freight

terminals Commercial activities– RR preparations; e-

payment Document generation—wagon consist, labels Data capture and report generation—DC,WC

etc Detention analysis Commodity and customer details capture Customer facilitation in tracking consignments

for large customersApr 21, 2023 16

TMS provides information on: Customers – profile, concessions, etc Booking – arrival, demand register, haulage,

RR, etc Rake handling Piecemeal Outward – F/Notes Inward – delivery, on hand, etc Charges – local, remittance, WC, DC, Bill Transshipment Query Message

Apr 21, 2023 17

E-Payment of Freight E-banking facility for payment of freight,

Year 1997 Tri-partite Agreement: Railways, Bank and

Consignee Originating point intimates electronically

(TMS) freight charges due (Paid) to Bank before printing RR/ORR (Invoice)

RR generated after receipt of successful transaction message from the Bank

Synchronous Transaction – reply within 150 sec

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FREIGHT OPERATIONS INFORMATION SYSTEM

FOIS Phase-II (TMS Expansion) Enabling non-device locations under the

nodal concept, more than 99.9% of RR’s are booked through TMS.

IREPG, E-Payment facility . Facility has now been extended to more than

635 customers. A total of Rs. 5550 crores (Rs. 179 crores per

day) of freight payment was done through E-payment during December, 2012 which is around 71.60 % of the total freight.

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FOIS-BENEFITS1. Convenience and Transparency to Customers2. Optimum Utilization of Resources3. Handling of Commercial and Operational aspects of Rail and Freight Movement4. Better Decision making tools5. Help for better logistics management.6. Position of Freight Trains in Computerized Territory, ETA/ETD at a station www.fois.indianrail.gov.in 7. Commodity wise flow  for customers like Power Houses, Refineries, Fertilizers,  Cement Plants, Steel Depots and public freight terminals . 20

FOIS-BENEFITS8. Attachment/Detachment of Rolling Stock -

Wagons in yard, Locos in Shed 9. Detention -Loading/Unloading from

different regions/locations. 10.Freight Earnings, RRs, Invoices, Demurrage

charges, Wharfage charges and other  Local Charges

11.Balance Sheet, Apportionment, E-payments, Empty Haulage etc.

12.Availability of data like NTKMs, GTKMs, WTR, Outage etc.

13.Comparative/ Trend analysis on different parameters.

14.Terminal Congestion Determination etc 

 

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TEST RESULT OF FNR ENQUIRY

Integrated Coaching Management System (ICMS)

1. National Train Enquiry System (NTES)2. Punctuality Analysis and Monitoring (PAM)

3. Coaching Operations Information System (COIS)

4. Coach Maintenance Management (CMM) – Pilot phase

Apr 21, 2023 24

ICMS – (Integrated Coaching Management System)

 MODULES IN ICMS1.National Train Enquiry System (NTES):

Captures train running details from COA and provides real time information to passengers .Status: Implemented in 1999

2.Punctuality Module (PAM):For Post facto analysis of punctuality loss and its causes (not an on-line system), Captures train running at Originating/ Terminating and interchange points and the causes of detention. Data input predominantly at Divisional HQ level. Status: Implemented in 2003Apr 21, 2023 25

ICMS – (Integrated Coaching Management System)

1.Coaching Operations

Information System (COIS): Captures events on Coaches, Rakes, Generates Reports for Management of Coaching Stock. Data input predominantly at Station/Coaching Yard level.

Status: Implemented in 2006

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ICMS – (Integrated Coaching Management System)

 Coaching Maintenance Module: Coach Maintenance Management (CMM) Presently under Pilot phase –

Pilot project and is aimed at computerization of complete Mechanical & Electrical maintenance activities of coaching depots and closely integrated with COIS.

Status : Under pilot project being implemented at coaching depots of NDLS, BCT & LKO

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ICMS (Integrated Coaching Management System)

PAM:Feeding mostly at divisional level. Interchange owning division controls the data feeding for handing over or taking over, Zonal client does the responsibility fixing( deciding the trains “lost in punctuality”). Activities include:

1. Originating terminating, interchange timings.

2. Detention Reports.3. Cause wise logging4. Fixing Responsibility

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ICMS (Integrated Coaching Management System)

COIS:Unlike PAM - no concept of data “feeding” in COIS. Instead working on the system at station/yard level leads to generation of required data (and memos for the operator).This works as input for MIS. All station/yard activities from arrival to departure of rake are captured:

1. Yard stock entry2. Dispute Resolve3. Yard Position4. Sick Marking5. Rake formation6. Sick line Placement7. Sick line Operation8. Modify consistApr 21, 2023 29

ICMS (Integrated Coaching Management System)

COIS 9. Shop Marking10. Movement Shop Placement11. Movement (Yard to yard)12. Remove fit available coaches13. Rake Examination14. Search Feedbacks15. Departure Reporting16. Send Feedbacks17. En route Attachments/Detachments18. Generate memo19. Arrival Reporting

Apr 21, 2023 30

ICMSICMS-MIS-REPORTS

PAM : Reports for Management at Divisional Level, HQ level, Board level like:

1. Railway Punctuality Performance for a date for a Division2. Movement of Trains (Division wise) in a Zone3. Punctuality percentage of Mail/Express4. Cause wise/Gauge Wise breakup of Lost Trains between

dates5. Division wise analysis of Cause of Lost Trains on Date in a

Zone6. Railway Punctuality performance for a date in a Zone7. Cause wise breakup of Trains lost in a period8. Summary of Monitored trains daily Run and Lost9. Section wise/Cause wise analysis for all trains on a date10. Zone wise/Cause wise analysis for all trains on a date, etc

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ICMSCOIS: Reports for Management at Station Level,

Divisional Level, HQ, RB level like :1. Yard Stock Position (Line position)2. Vehicle Guidance3. Zonal Stock Balance sheet (type wise details of

Bare Requirement, allotment, running in service, ineffective etc)

4. Coaches on way from/to shop5. Foreign Railway Coaches6. Ineffective Coaches7. Coach History8. Rake Link Information Zonal/Divisional

Coaching Stock allotment/availability, etc.Apr 21, 2023 32

CONTROL OFFICE APPLICATION (COA) Control Office Application (COA) is

comprehensive software for the automation of Control Charting at a railway divisional control office.

COA is intended to replace the tedious manual plotting of running trains on a chart.

The core functionality of the control charting with ergonomics is intended to provide the Traffic Controllers good look-and-feel and user-friendly work environment.Apr 21, 2023 33

Control Office Application (COA) Pilot project completed in TVC Division -

February, 2006 Completed phase III in October 2009 in all 69

Divisions Integration with;

NTES – NOV.2009ICMS – NOV. 2009FOIS- AUG. 2009DATA LOGGER- NOV.2012

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CONTROL OFFICE APPLICATION (COA)

Functionalities of COA1. Train Ordering2. Maintain Train Information3. Manage Train Movement (Abnormal

Working, Stabling, Banker Movement)4. Report Unusual Occurrences.5. Management of Maintenance Blocks6. Caution Orders

Apr 21, 2023 35

CONTROL OFFICE APPLICATION (COA)Functionalities of COA7. Plot Graph.8. Advance Plotting _ System / Manual9. Maintain referential data10.MIS Reports11.Yard Management Siding12.Miscellaneous Functions13.View Station Layout

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Control Office Application (COA)Benefits:1. 24*7 system for train running operation.

2. Automated Chart plotting in all divisional control offices of Indian Railways.

3. Forecasting tool for Advanced planning.

4. Reporting of unusual and abnormal events.

5. MIS for management to take informed decisions.

6. Online Real-time Train running information to public through NTES.

7. Train running information to ICMS for punctuality.

8. Integration with Data-logger for automated Train Movement Capture. Apr 21, 2023 37

Parcel Management System• Pilot Project on Delhi - Howrah corridor• Project architecture – RDBMS-based software

on three-tiered network• Modules

Booking and Delivery ModulesLoading and Unloading modulesDemurrage and Wharfage calculationVP and lease BookingPrinting of Bar Code Labels on packages and scanning

On Line Status and trackingOver-carriage and Undercarriage position

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Parcel Management System 223 parcel offices

10 corridors1. NDLS-BCT2. NDLS-MAS3. CSTM-HWH4. CSTM-SBC-MAS5. HWH-MAS6. JAT-CAPE7. NDLS-HWH8. BSB-GHY-TSK9. DLI-ADI10. SRE-LKO-SPJApr 21, 2023 39

Parcel Management SystemBenefits to Customers:

1. Track latest status of the parcel through internet and SMS2. Reduction in time required for weighment and booking

Benefits to Staff3. Automatic freight calculation based on latest rules4. Reduction in human errors.

Benefits to Railways 5. Loading generally according to priority thereby curtailing

malpractices and complaints6. Beneficial to Accounts for internal check7. Reduction in Claims8. Potential for revenue generation based on improvement in

service.Apr 21, 2023 40

Crew Management System (CMS)

System to enableManagement of Crew activities

BookingMonitoring including performance evaluation Information updationMIS report generationDSS for planning

Rolled out in 2007352 lobbies covered48000 daily calls served through SMSBio Data of 123970 Crew in CMSBiometrics, abnormality reporting to be

coveredApr 21, 2023 41

Analytics Crew Utilization Overtime / Mileage Pre Dept Detention Outstation Rest Crew Balancing Availability On

Railnet Others Call Serve by SMS Bio Metric sign on Touch Screen Sign On Inter Server

Messaging Bi-lingual Coaching, Shunter Employee Self Service Reduced / Paper work

Planning & Control Crew Scheduling.Scheduling PME.Training, L.R.Loco Handling

SOFWARE FUNCTIONALITY

SafetyScheduling Crew Rest

10 Hrs working compliance

Exposure to current circulars

Crew Quiz - QUICK

Grading of Drivers

LI monitoring

Group SMS for breakdowns

Global availability of Driver bio-data in case of accidents

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Bio – Metrics Sign ON / OFF

Easier to handle. Increased

Security and authentication.

Legally binding. Quickly

adaptable for crew booking points.

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CMS – Breath-analyser integrationBreath analyzer

integrated with CMS For safety reasons.

On getting positive CMS will not allow

Sign onIt will also send

SMS to concern BO

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SOFTWARE AIDED TRAIN SCHEDULING AND NETWORK GOVERNANCE (SATSaNG) For Train Scheduling – Proposed by Rly. Bd. In

2007 Data entry for infrastructure data enabled in 2012BENEFITS The application has features that will enable

creation of conflict free paths for train services and

conflict free allocation of resources. The acronym SATSaNG means the collective search for truth, in Sanskrit. Planners at the Zonal level can use this application to refine their solutions and find newer ones with greater ease.

Apr 21, 2023 45

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

For Automatic Identification of Railway Wagons using RFID

Pilot project with Rs. 2 crore provisions from FOIS estimate in Talcher, Paradeep and Vishakhapatnam locations has been executed. Detailed estimate for roll out as per revised instruction of Railway Board has been sent to CAO/FOIS, NR for sanction.

PO for the Tender for AMC of RFID locations has been issued in April 2013

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RFID

RFID READER

Thank You

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