Union Pacific Wins Digital Engineering Award with PST’s Physics Train Builder (PTB)
The network-embedded simulation tool has led to reduced derailments and improved safety.
PST’s Abhi Bhan, Dan Simkin and UP’s TJ Weisbeck.
Union Pacific Railroad was honored at the Digital Engineering Awards with a Champion win in the Digital Transformation of the Year category for their guidance, adoption, and integration of the Physics Train Builder (PTB) simulation tool across the UP Network.
Train safety is paramount to railroads. A freight train rail operation involves complex physics, especially as trains change length and make-up of loads and then travel across a wide variety of terrain. For more than 150 years, train builders have been following best practices handed down over generations to operate trains from origin to destination safely. Union Pacific Railroad chose to work with Locomotive training and simulation specialists PS Technology (PST) to engage and further develop a tool called Physics Train Builder (PTB), formerly known as Precision Train Builder, during early development. PTB simulates the physics created within trains and train operation, simulating hundreds of miles of track and accurately identifying where to place rail cars within a train, how many locomotives to use, and where to place them for the most efficient and safe operation. Now, instead of using hunches, pure scientific method can be used to build and operate safe train builds.
TJ Weisbeck, Union Pacific Railroad’s Senior Director of Operating Practices, accompanied by PST’s Senior Managing Director Abhi Bhan, and Systems Engineer Director, Dan Simkin.
When complete, the PTB effort was intended to accurately model more than 2000 trains daily across an extensive 32,000-mile rail network. During the product enhancement, PTB increased in capability, maturing from being a diagnostic to a predictive to a prescriptive toolset that could easily be both used and customized. PTB’s effectiveness has exceeded expectations while continuing to grow in utility.
“Our technology teams are consistently innovating to enhance safety and operational excellence. This success is a product of our strong partnership with operations leaders, working together to deliver a world-class service product,” said Rushi Patel, Union Pacific assistant vice president-Enterprise Systems and Commercial Technology, Tech.
The competition was heavy, with contenders from Dow, Nestlé, Tenneco, Sundaram Clayton Ltd., and more.
The Physics Engine in the PTB tool is based on the core functionality of all PST Simulators, which are used for training. These tightly integrated but loosely coupled capabilities allow full-circle recommendations of consist builds all the way to highly realistic engineer training to ensure proper train handling.
Receiving the award were PST’s Abhi Bhan and Dan Simkin and Union Pacific’s TJ Weisbeck.
