Train OCR Portal

As the number of containers shipped via rail keeps on growing, the need for automated inspection, identification and inventory of these containers when entering a terminal, or passing an interchange point becomes urgent.

The CAMCO Train OCR Portal is specifically developed to provide a solution for visually checking the condition of containers and rail cars, the automatic identification and inventory, and the automatic creation of load- and unload lists including the positions of the containers on the rail car and of the rail cars in the train configuration. This virtualization of the train allows replacing the typically unsafe physical outdoor inspection and validation by a checker, with a safe and centralized inspection and validation via a graphical Train Operator interface.

Key Features

• No limitation in the length of trains
• Supports OCR of Intermodal, Non-ISO containers and trailers
• Supports multi-national train types and configurations: single and doubled stacked
• Supports shunting
• Supports tracking of rail cars over multiple rail tracks
• Returns load type, position and direction per rail car
• TrainGate reads European rail car numbers
• Supports the American & Australian rail car AEI tags
• Uses LED-based light-on-demand illumination system
• Certified pictures are ready to use for damage tracking
• Uses the same Linescan camera technology as Truck OCR portals
• Seamless interaction and integration with the local TOS or other host system

Concept

The TrainGate Portal is similar to the Truck OCR Camera Portal. It uses the same well acclaimed Linescan camera technologies and OCR engines.

Linescan technology can be compared with a flatbed scanner. This scanning principle delivers laser sharp pictures far ahead of 2D stitching technology and unlimited in length.

When a train drives through the camera portal the Linescan cameras generate two images of each side of all the transported containers and rail cars as well as an image of the top. Based on these images the OCR engines read the container numbers, ISO codes, IMDG dangerous goods labels and rail car numbers.

The Camera Portal uses only a strict minimum of equipment, allowing a fast installation, minimal power supply, and requiring only limited support and maintenance. It has an exceptionally high reliability, is completely solid state and fully redundant.

Rail car detection and identification

The TrainGate application has a sophisticated rail car detection and identification system.The system is able to return the exact position of every container on an identified car. Besides rail car number reading, the system also support the reading of the AEI tags. These tags are available on most U.S. and Australian rail cars.

Track identification

On most terminals trains are pushed or pulled into multiple track segments. The system should be aware at any time which part of the train is pushed in what track. Part of the TrainGate solution is a system that monitors the tracks that are used during the shunting process.

Post processing

Before the OCR data is sent to the TOS, the train operator has to perform post-processing actions via the graphical Train Operator Console.

This Console allows the operator to visually inspect the condition of each container and rail car, and check, correct and validate the OCR-processed data. With a few mouse clicks he can visually scroll across the images of the top and the two sides of the train.When the collected information on the train is complete and correct, the processed data is sent as a XML or Excel file to the TOS.

This complete validation process takes only a few minutes and can be easily performed by a gate clerk, locally or remote, for one or multiple sites.

Market reference

The CAMCO TrainGate Portal is very well known in the market for its unparalleled quality of images and  high OCR accuracy rates. In Europe it's the number one by number of installations.

Benefits

The TrainGate solution enables the terminal or rail operator to receive in a fast and accurate way a complete and correct train inventory associating container data with rail car and train positioning. With this data faster train loading and discharging become possible, increasing productivity while reducing operational costs. The post processing of several rail portals can be performed on one centralized location.

Installation examples

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