ORBCOMM has signed an agreement with GE Harris Railway Electronics to provide satellite messaging and GPS support as part of GE Harris' PINPOINT Locomotive Tracking System.
GE Harris' PINPOINT Locomotive Tracking system enables railroads generally to determine each locomotive's position inside the parameters of their road fleet within approximately 100 meters. The PINPOINT system is able to tightly integrate into the railroads' existing systems to realize this benefit.
The PINPOINT system also provides fuel status and several other onboard data reporting features. ORBCOMM's global tracking, monitoring and two-way communications capabilities enable GE Harris to provide this valuable information to its customers.
By using the PINPOINT Locomotive Tracking system with ORBCOMM's satellite communications service, railroads can improve their overall efficiency through better fleet utilization and refueling operations.
GE Harris recently completed a pilot program with a major Class 1 railroad on the effectiveness of the PINPOINT system. The results indicated that a six percent increase in locomotive utilization and a ten percent increase in miles traveled over the road could be achieved with the PINPOINT system.
"We are pleased that GE Harris has selected ORBCOMM as its satellite communications provider," said Scott L. Webster, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM.
"The PINPOINT system provides customers with access to data that can substantially improve operational performance. ORBCOMM is proud to play an important role in delivering this information. ORBCOMM's system was designed to give its customers a powerful tool to manage their assets more effectively, anytime, anywhere. I'm excited to see ORBCOMM used to make this cutting-edge solution available to the railway industry," added Webster.
"The PINPOINT system is poised to transform the way in which the railway industry monitors and communicates with its mobile and remote resources," said Kevin Clyne, Business Development Manager, Communications Systems for GE Harris. "ORBCOMM's satellite network will provide a critical link in the communications chain."
Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, GE Harris Railway Electronics, L.L.C. is a leading provider of electronics, communications and train control technology for the global railroad industry.
ORBCOMM provides two-way monitoring, tracking and messaging services through the world's first low-Earth orbit satellite-based data communications system.
