E - Track Track Patrol Monitoring System

What is E-tracking ? It is a system for monitoring the track patrolling by key man/ patrol man etc. This is developed by M/S Techmach Engineers/Bangalore. It is a cost effective system and better than the exisiting system which is having some draw backs.

Existing system Key man walks along the track in his beat length carries his duties. After completing the beat length inspection, he will carry out the programmed works as set in diary. His presence will be checked during trolley inspection, FP/LV/IC inspections by higher officials.

Drawbacks in existing system Keyman may not walk on the Track, may bypass by alternate road Keyman may not even visit the Track Key man diaries may be manipulated.

Drawbacks in existing system History of Keyman patrolling data not easily available This is not a fool proof system to ensure whether patrolling of track is done or not. The locations which are not covered by key man /patrol man can not be identified

Memories of the past..

Why E-tracking is necessary ? Since availability of key man & patrolling of the track is absolutely essential, it should be necessary to ensure patrolling of track. With increase in anti social activities, this has gained more importance. There are several occasions, where alert key man has averted untoward incidents

Why E-tracking is necessary ? No accurate and cost effective system has been developed so far for better monitoring of track patrolling. To over come the above draw backs and for better monitoring, E- tracking has been implemented in SBC-MYS section of Bangalore division in SWR. This will help in avoiding short cuts.

Keyman is the key

Avoid dangerous short cuts

Back ground of system A system was developed by M/S Techmech Engineers/Bangalore. This was installed on experimental basis for one gang length in SBC-SA section and observed for one & half year and performance found to be satisfactory. After field trials, E- Tracking is now implemented in SBC-MYS section.

Contents System consists of  Tag  Reader  PC Inter face  Personal computer  Portable mini printer ( Optional)  Personal ID card (Optional)

A Case study…. Implemented on the SBC-MYS Section E - Tracking Electronic Track Patrol Monitoring System

System requirements A standard Pentium Personal computer, with at least 64 MB of RAM, 2 GB hard disk, Key board, Mouse, serial port. A suitable dot matrix/Laser/ ink jet printer for printing various reports.

Operation Reader is brought near Personal ID card and activated. Reader is brought near Tag with in reading range of 5-10 cms and activated by pressing a button. Reader acquires tag ID and stores it with data. This is confirmed by The LED turning from green to red and a double beep. If there is no tag, Reader switches itself off in four seconds.

E Track Making Tracks safer by optimizing track patrolling

Installed System Install weather-proof Electronic Tags alongside Tracks – ETP (Electronic Tag Point) either in KM posts, Bridge parapets, Signal pedestals etc.

Installed System.. Keyman carries a portable Reader Keyman walks along the track and visits every ETP

Installed System.. Keyman simply clicks the Read button near each ETP

Installed System.. Reader acquires ETP code along with Date and Time of recording Keyman Repeats the same at each location.

Installed System.. Acquired Data can either be printed in the field with portable printer OR Portable printer Reader Tag

Installed System.. Detailed reports can be generated through a PC Database can be centralized

Print outs Extract of data in print outs show Date of patrol Time of patrol at each location Location ID Name of person who did patrol, if personal ID is used. Also Un visited points can be obtained from PC

Look out man at Vulnerable Un manned LC 34 at Km 40/0-100 in SBC-MYS section. Patrol Date: 03/11/2004 Reader ID : 1234 Tag ID Time Location SE/P.way Name :54 Hrs 40/ Channapatna Rudra ballaiah :23 Hrs40/ :55 Hrs40/ : 12 Hrs 40/ :53 Hrs 40/ : 18 Hrs 40/ :58 Hrs40/ O:11 Hrs40/ :38 Hrs 40/ :08 Hrs 40/ :22 Hrs40/ :46 Hrs 40/ :06 Hrs40/ :36 Hrs40/ :53 Hrs40/ :40 Hrs40/ :52 Hrs 40/ :02 Hrs40/

E- Tracking System as Implemented in Bangalore-Mysore section of Bangalore Division A. Details of Section Sl. No.Item DescriptionNos.Remarks 1. Km 131SBC Division Jurisdiction 2.Gangs21Avg. Beat length 6.23 km 3.E-Tag points (ETP)160Avg. interval distance 0.81 km 4.Portable Printers2Two SE/Pway sections

E- Tracking System as Implemented in Bangalore-Mysore section of Bangalore Division A. E-tracking System Details Sl. No.Item DescriptionNos.Unit Cost 1.Tag160Rs Reader26Rs Portable Mini Printer2Rs. 10,000 4.Software1Rs Personal ID card50Rs. 300

SWR General Manager inspecting the Installed system in SBC-MYS section

Advantages of System.. Simplicity of operation No special skills or training required for Keyman Maintenance-free operation Works effectively in any terrain & weather-proof

Advantages of System.. Keyman Patrol Reports at the touch of a button Patrol data authentic and accurate Very effective during monsoon patrolling Highly cost-effective

Advantages of System.. Does not in any way interfere with existing track equipment Augments existing manual system and improves efficiency many-fold No Radio interference Absolute record of all track patrols can be maintained. By assigning personal ID, it can be ascertained, whether patrol man has actually gone or not.

Economics of E-Track The SBC-MYS section covering 131 kms of track has involved cost Rs.2.44 Lakhs This approximates to about Rs.1,860 per km of track The average distance between Tags affects the cost of the system The frequency could be anywhere between 100mts to 1 km depending on the terrain, sensitive locations, requirement etc. There is no recurring expenditure involved, except for maintenance of Readers, which may be about Rs.200 per reader per year.

Conclusion Among the systems available at present for better monitoring of track patrolling, E-Tracking will definitely better the others in operation, performance and economics