Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has started tracking 256 out of 404 locomotives that it holds, via GPS and mobile telephone network.
The system is called Remote Monitoring and Management of Locomotives and Trains (REMMLOT). It can remotely locate a locomotive, collect data on its movement, health and detect faults.
REMMLOT is an on-board microprocessor-based system mounted on locomotives which can collect data on the health of the locomotive on 135 different parameters. It is then sent to a centralised server through a GSM Mobile network. The system also helps to detect faults in a locomotive without bringing it to a repair shop.
The data generated by the locomotive mounted computer can then be retrieved from the server by the centrally located control office application for analysis. Based on the analysis necessary corrective measures can be taken to avoid loco failures mid-section.
This system has reduced loco failures significantly and enhanced punctuality on NFR.
NFR is on track to fit REMMLOT in the remaining 148 locos in a phased manner for enhancing operational efficiency.