WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Amsted Digital Solutions®, a global leader in freight rail onboard telematics solutions, has been unanimously approved as a certified vendor for RailPulse, an industry-wide coalition working to accelerate the adoption of telematics across North America.
Amsted Digital Solutions’ IQ Series™ gateway with Bogie IQ® technology is a first-of-its-kind telematics solution that delivers comprehensive railcar health and status data without the need for additional wireless sensors.
“It’s been a true partnership effort between Amsted Digital and RailPulse to achieve this status and to be recognized as a RailPulse certified vendor,” said Brad Myers, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Amsted Digital Solutions. “Our sensor-free approach is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to the expense and complexity of typical telematics systems.”
When mounted anywhere on the railcar, the IQ Series gateway provides real-time GPS location data, enabling accurate mileage calculations, impact detection, dynamic estimated time of arrival (ETA), geofence alerts, and first-and last-mile validation. When a single IQ Series gateway is bolster-mounted, its capabilities are expanded to include changes in load status without the additional cost associated with a wireless sensor, helping customers better manage railcar utilization and fleet planning.
When one IQ Series device is mounted on each bolster of a railcar and configured with Bogie IQ technology, it provides customers with further expanded value including monitoring for changes in wheel tread defects as they progress and brake slide events at train start-up.
“Our goal is to enhance existing wayside technologies and provide more data more often,” said Myers. “Bogie IQ technology provides early and meaningful insights to improve maintenance planning and the potential for reduced overall maintenance costs.”
The IQ Series gateway features a hybrid power system combining solar and rechargeable batteries, offering an extended performance life. This long-lasting solution is further enhanced by over-the-air firmware upgrades, which provide instant access to new capabilities. By extending the device’s lifespan and eliminating the need for routine replacements, this eco-friendly solution minimizes battery and component consumption.
Aligned with RailPulse’s mission to drive productivity, value and growth in freight rail, Amsted Digital Solutions is empowering the industry to optimize operations, reduce costs and improve overall operating efficiency.
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About RailPulse
RailPulse, formed in 2020 by a diverse group of industry leading stakeholders, is dedicated to transforming the rail industry through accelerating the adoption of GPS and other telematics technologies delivered through an open-architecture railcar telematics platform. The platform emphasizes data standardization, cloud storage, and delivering actionable insights to enhance service levels, visibility, safety, and efficiency in North American rail-based supply chains. Visit railpulse.com to learn more about the RailPulse initiative.
About Amsted Digital Solutions
Amsted Digital Solutions Inc. is a subsidiary of Amsted Rail Company, Inc., the leading global provider of undercarriage and end-of-car railcar components with over 40 locations across six continents. Together, we combine nearly 150 years of excellence in rail component design and manufacturing with today’s leading-edge rail telematics technology.