Rail freight app improves efficiency

While most terminals use their own planning system and standards for rail transport and most of the relevant information is exchanged by telephone or email, OnTrack combines data of the various parties in the rail chain and enriches it with smart business algorithms so that the whole operational process is easily accessible to everyone and real time monitoring can be carried out. Automated alerts warn when planning adjustments are needed.

Carriers can use OnTrack to gain insight into specific freight handling at the terminal. The application shows the number of containers or cars that have been loaded or unloaded and when the operation is finished and deviations from the scheduled timeslot are shown immediately.

Terminal operators in the Port of Rotterdam can use OnTrack to gain a better insight into the expected and actual departure times of trains calling on their facilities. OnTrack’s real-time notifications allow all parties to anticipate on deviations more effectively, and consequently optimise the deployment of personnel and capacity. OnTrack will also be made available to rail operators and inland terminals.

OnTrack was developed and extensively tested in partnership with multiple different market parties. At the beginning of April 2019, the application will be taken into use by nearly every carrier and terminal involved in the transportation of cargo via the Port of Rotterdam.