Train dispatching is a task that requires the absolute coordination of various elements for the safe and efficient movement of railroad traffic. Train dispatchers manage the entire process of the use of railroad tracks. On the surface, train dispatching seems a simple task that includes routing scheduled trains that arrive on time to predefined tracks, but things are not as simple as they seem.
There are hundreds of unprecedented scenarios that require train dispatchers in the USA to make dynamic decisions. In this post, we will look at the common challenges professional train dispatchers face in train dispatching.
Delays in train arrival
The art of anticipation is key to efficient railroad traffic management. Train dispatchers take various factors into account, such as the characteristics of the train, the conditions of the track, the weather and the time of day, which can influence the movement of a train on the track. But still, delays are inevitable. Delays in the arrival of one train has the potential to disrupt the entire predefined schedule and routing. This requires dynamic decision-making to ensure that delays do not affect the schedule of other trains. Even if they do, the impact should be minimized.
Track maintenance
This is the most common challenge faced by train dispatchers. Scheduled maintenance is easy to manage but track outages, sudden track repairs and maintenance, and unnoticed changes in the physical characteristics of tracks can disturb an existing operating plan. Train dispatchers need to re-route trains and ensure that priority trains containing hazardous materials or restricted shipments pass on time. In the case of scheduled maintenance, the focus of the train dispatcher is to facilitate maintenance when tracks are least busy.
High demand on track usage
Considering railroad is the cheapest way to haul freight overland, you can assume that track usage is always in high demand. According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the U.S. freight train system leads the world in volume of traffic, revenue, the amount of freight hauled, affordability, miles of track and other measures. It is the highly-skilled train dispatchers of professional freight dispatch services that monitor train movement beyond their territory, maintain familiarity with scheduled trains, destinations, times of arrivals and departures, balance multiple demands placed on-track usage, anticipate delays and make rapid decisions to ensure high demand is served in the best possible manner.
Unexpected events
Every now and then, unexpected events occur, sometimes due to weather conditions, sometimes due to mechanical failures, sometimes due to natural obstructions and sometimes due to alleged violations of operating rules. Train dispatchers don’t just coordinate the traffic movement but are also responsible for incident reporting. Managing such unprecedented scenarios requires dynamic decision-making, good communication and cooperation.
These are the common challenges faced by train dispatchers.
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