Wi-Tronix®, a Bolingbrook, Ill.-based supplier of wireless systems to “improve the operational efficiency, service reliability and safety of locomotives” announced Nov. 4, 2015 its launch of the Mobile Phone Detection System. This new solution, integrated into Wi-Tronix’s Wi-PU™, detects mobile devices located in a locomotive’s cab that transmit or receive communications over cellular frequencies.
“Distracted driving is an ongoing concern on our railways. Earlier this year we announced our In-Cab Audible Alerts solution to help ensure safety on locomotives,” stated Larry Jordan, President of Wi-Tronix. “Today we are demonstrating our continued commitment to safer train operations with the introduction of our Mobile Phone Detection System.”
Whether a train is stopped in a station or moving, the Mobile Phone Detection System can identify the following types of communication on powered and transmitting cellular devices:
-Receiving an inbound phone call
-Placing an outbound phone call
-Communicating data
The Mobile Phone Detection System uses custom algorithms to ensure the cellular signal is originating from inside the cab, not from surrounding locations. If a cellular signal is detected in the cab, rules based on the railroad’s specific mobile phone policies are applied in order to determine if a possible safety violation has occurred. If a possible violation is detected, the Wi-PU generates a log and sends a notification to a pre-determined list of approved individual(s).
This customer-by-customer feature allows each Wi-Tronix customer to meet their individual business needs of monitoring compliance to mobile device and cell phone policies. Wi-Tronix Software as a Service (SaaS) allows customers to remotely access data via regularly scheduled reporting updates, on-demand and subscriptions to notification alerts.
Railroads are currently faced with the difficulty of monitoring compliance to federal regulations like Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Emergency Order 26. EO 26 restricts on-duty use of cellular telephones and other distracting electronic and electrical devices. Recent fatal accidents in North America and Europe have documented the cause of the incident to be distracted operating because of mobile device use.
The Wi-Tronix Mobile Phone Detection System can help railroads monitor for compliance to EO 26 and other regulations by promptly alerting appropriate personnel of potential distracted operating. This can allow a railroad to take corrective action and make operations safer for crews, passengers and the public.