RR-03 RR-03-08-03 — Yardmaster Operations
This process outlines the operations for managing train movements and yard activities at a Class I freight railroad terminal, focusing on ensuring efficient handling of trains and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
🗺 BPMN Process Flow
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📋 Process Attributes
| Process ID | RR-03-08-03 |
|---|---|
| Domain Family | OPERATIONS |
| L1 Domain | Terminal & Yard Operations |
| L2 Process Group | Yardmaster Operations |
| Trigger | Arrival of a train at the Bailey Yard in North Platte, NE |
| Outcome | Successful completion of train classification, switching, and departure from the yard with all cars accounted for and safely released to the road. |
| Systems | NetControl I-ETMS EHMS Interline Settlement System |
| Regulatory Hooks | 49 CFR Part 232 GCOR 6.28 |
📋 L4 Process Steps
| Step | Name | Role | System | Input | Output | KPI | Pain Point / Risk | Decision? | Exception? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Train Arrival Notification | Yardmaster | NetControl | Train arrival notification from Harriman Dispatching Center | Updated yard schedule in NetControl | Train arrival time accuracy within 5 minutes | Delayed train arrivals affecting overall yard operations | N | Y |
| 1.2 | Initial Inspection and Classification Planning | Car Inspector (Carman) | EHMS | Train manifest and EHMS data | Classification plan and inspection report | Inspection completion within 30 minutes | Inaccurate classification plans leading to inefficiencies | Y | N |
| 1.3 | Hump Yard Setup and Preparation | Switchman/Switch Foreman | I-ETMS | Classification plan | Hump yard setup configuration | Setup time under 1 hour | Incorrect hump setup causing train derailments | Y | Y |
| 1.4 | Train Classification | Switchman/Switch Foreman | I-ETMS | Hump yard setup configuration | Classified train cars | Classification accuracy rate above 95% | Misclassified cars leading to reclassification delays | N | Y |
| 1.5 | Switching Operations | Switchman/Switch Foreman | NetControl | Classified train cars | Switched train cars | Switching efficiency rate above 80% | Inefficient switching causing delays | Y | N |
| 1.6 | Train Departure Preparation | Yardmaster | NetControl | Switched train cars | Departure plan and notification to Harriman Dispatching Center | Departure preparation time under 1 hour | Delayed departures affecting yard throughput | N | Y |
| 1.7 | Final Inspection and Documentation | Car Inspector (Carman) | EHMS | Departing train cars | Inspection report and documentation | Final inspection completion within 30 minutes | Undetected issues leading to safety risks | Y | N |
| 1.8 | Train Departure Notification | Yardmaster | NetControl | Inspection report and documentation | Departure notification to Harriman Dispatching Center | Departure notification accuracy rate above 98% | Incorrect departure notifications causing dispatch errors | N | Y |
| 1.9 | Post-Departure Review and Reporting | Yardmaster | NetControl | Train departure data | Operational review report | Review completion within 24 hours | Lack of thorough reviews leading to recurring issues | Y | N |
| 1.10 | Update Yard Schedule and Inventory | Yardmaster | NetControl | Operational review report | Updated yard schedule and inventory data | Schedule update accuracy rate above 95% | Outdated schedules causing operational bottlenecks | N | Y |
| 1.11 | Interline Settlement Data Exchange (SSDX) | Train Dispatcher | Interline Settlement System | Departure data and agreements | Settlement data exchange report | Data exchange accuracy rate above 98% | Inaccurate data exchanges leading to financial discrepancies | Y | N |
| 1.12 | Final Review and Documentation | Yardmaster | NetControl | Settlement data exchange report | Final process review and documentation | Final review completion within 48 hours | Incomplete final reviews causing operational delays | N | Y |
📊 KPIs & Risk Register
KPIs
Train arrival time accuracy within 5 minutes Inspection completion within 30 minutes Setup time under 1 hour Classification accuracy rate above 95% Switching efficiency rate above 80% Departure preparation time under 1 hour Final inspection completion within 30 minutes Departure notification accuracy rate above 98% Review completion within 24 hours Schedule update accuracy rate above 95% Data exchange accuracy rate above 98% Final review completion within 48 hours
Key Risks
Air brake test defect released to the road Incorrect hump setup causing train derailments Misclassified cars leading to reclassification delays Inefficient switching causing delays Delayed departures affecting yard throughput Undetected issues leading to safety risks Incorrect departure notifications causing dispatch errors Lack of thorough reviews leading to recurring issues Outdated schedules causing operational bottlenecks Inaccurate data exchanges leading to financial discrepancies
Swim Lanes
Yardmaster · 1.1, 1.6, 1.9, 1.10, 1.12 Car Inspector (Carman) · 1.2, 1.7 Switchman/Switch Foreman · 1.3, 1.4, 1.5