RR-11 RR-11-04-02 — Empty Car Distribution and Fleet Allocation

This process involves the distribution and allocation of empty cars across different interline operations within a US Class I freight railroad. It ensures that empty cars are efficiently managed to meet demand while adhering to regulatory requirements and optimizing operational efficiency.

🗺 BPMN Process Flow

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📋 Process Attributes

Process ID	RR-11-04-02
Domain Family	NETWORK & PLANNING
L1 Domain	Interline, Equipment & Car Management
L2 Process Group	Empty Car Distribution and Fleet Allocation
Trigger	The process is initiated when an Interline Settlement Analyst identifies a shortage of empty cars in specific regions or terminals based on data from the CHARM system and the Interline Settlement System (ISS).
Outcome	Successful completion results in the timely distribution and allocation of empty cars to meet operational needs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and optimizing fleet utilization.
Systems	NetControl I-ETMS Umler TRAIN II EHMS ISS
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	Identify Shortage	Interline Settlement Analyst	CHARM, ISS	Demand data from CHARM, shortage alerts from ISS	Shortage report	Time to identify shortage < 2 hours	Inaccurate demand forecasting leading to unmet needs	N	Y
1.2	Assess Fleet Availability	Equipment Registration / Umler Data Analyst	Umler, TRAIN II	Fleet data from Umler, availability reports from TRAIN II	Fleet availability report	Accuracy of fleet assessment > 95%	Outdated or incomplete fleet data	N	Y
1.3	Plan Distribution Strategy	VP Network Planning & Operations	NetControl, GCOR	Shortage report, fleet availability report	Distribution strategy plan	Number of strategic plans developed per day > 5	Balancing operational needs with regulatory constraints	Y	N
1.4	Dispatch Empty Cars	Train Dispatcher	I-ETMS, PS Technology	Distribution strategy plan	Dispatch orders	Average dispatch time < 30 minutes	Traffic congestion affecting dispatch efficiency	N	Y
1.5	Monitor Train Movement	Control Operator	I-ETMS, NetControl	Dispatch orders	Train movement data	Track utilization rate > 80%	Unexpected delays due to unforeseen issues	N	Y
1.6	Conduct Pre-Departure Inspection	Car Inspector (Carman)	EHMS, Wabtrax	Train movement data	Inspection report	Number of inspections per train > 2	Ensuring all cars meet safety standards	Y	N
1.7	Update Fleet Status	Equipment Registration / Umler Data Analyst	Umler, TRAIN II	Inspection report	Updated fleet status	Time to update fleet status < 1 hour	Data synchronization issues between systems	N	Y
1.8	Coordinate with Interline Partners	Interline Settlement Analyst	ISS, CHDX	Updated fleet status	Coordination report	Number of coordination calls per day > 10	Effective communication with interline partners	Y	N
1.9	Review and Adjust Strategy	VP Network Planning & Operations	NetControl, GCOR	Coordination report	Adjusted distribution strategy	Number of adjustments per day < 2	Dynamic changes in operational needs	Y	N
1.10	Finalize Distribution	Train Dispatcher	I-ETMS, PS Technology	Adjusted distribution strategy	Final dispatch orders	Number of final dispatches per day > 20	Traffic congestion affecting final dispatch	N	Y
1.11	Monitor Terminal Operations	Yardmaster	I-ETMS, NetControl	Final dispatch orders	Terminal operations data	Terminal dwell under 24 hours	Efficient terminal management	N	Y
1.12	Report and Review	Interline Settlement Analyst	CHARM, ISS	Terminal operations data	Operational report	Number of reports per week > 5	Comprehensive reporting for continuous improvement	Y	N

📊 KPIs & Risk Register

KPIs

Time to identify shortage < 2 hours Accuracy of fleet assessment > 95% Average dispatch time < 30 minutes Track utilization rate > 80% Number of inspections per train > 2 Time to update fleet status < 1 hour Number of coordination calls per day > 10 Number of adjustments per day < 2 Number of final dispatches per day > 20 Terminal dwell under 24 hours Number of reports per week > 5

Key Risks

Air brake test defect released to the road Traffic congestion affecting dispatch efficiency Unexpected delays due to unforeseen issues Ensuring all cars meet safety standards Data synchronization issues between systems Effective communication with interline partners Dynamic changes in operational needs Traffic congestion affecting final dispatch Efficient terminal management Comprehensive reporting for continuous improvement

Swim Lanes

Interline Settlement Analyst · 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 1.12 Equipment Registration / Umler Data Analyst · 1.2, 1.4, 1.8, 1.10 VP Network Planning & Operations · 1.3, 1.9 Train Dispatcher · 1.4, 1.10 Control Operator · 1.5 Car Inspector (Carman) · 1.6 Yardmaster · 1.11

Independently compiled from public sources. Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Union Pacific or any other railroad. Illustrative of US Class I practice; every system, regulation, role and metric named here traces to a sourced entry in registries/.