With the launch of its next-generation rail products, TransCore’s RFID solutions provide asset tracking the rail industry can rely on, even in the worst weather conditions.
TransCore, the renowned producer of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for the rail industry, has introduced its next generation of rail products.
The company has long recognised the effectiveness of RFID-based automatic equipment identification (AEI) for more reliable tracking of railcars and their contents. Mass transit rail agencies use TransCore systems for automatic train positioning, condition-based monitoring and fault detection.
TransCore’s RFID products offer real-world solutions for safety critical components and are the established standard for automatic train control (ATC) and automatic train positioning (ATP) in metros around the world. In addition to our onboard solutions, our AEI solutions increase equipment utilisation and reduce re-handles, dwell times and overhead. Our solutions provide reliable and accurate data, reducing operating costs and improving passenger safety.Greg Blocker, TransCore’s Senior Vice President, International Business Development, said:
Engineered To Perform in Harsh Weather Conditions
Following significant investment into research and development, TransCore recently unveiled its next-generation rail product line, led by the redesigned AT5435 harsh-environment transportation tag.
The redesigned AT5435 tag overcomes performance issues caused by standing water and snow, which previously disrupted backscatter RFID systems by scattering or absorbing RF signals. The new tag eliminates these effects, ensuring more consistent reads and greater reliability. This makes it an ideal solution for rail operators in high-precipitation and extreme weather regions. Rigorous field testing in real-world conditions has verified that the redesigned tag meets the most demanding operational standards.
Notably, this model can be factory programmed as specified by the customer, or user programmed out in the field. Furthermore, the beam-powered tag does not require an internal battery, giving it unlimited service life. This feature limits the tag’s range, giving the added benefit of a reduction in cross-reads from nearby tags.
Many solutions on the market utilise battery-powered tags, which increase customers’ operating expenses dramatically over the lifetime of a product. Customers are extremely pleased with the superior reliability and performance of our products as they’re designed specifically for demanding rail environments.Blocker said:
Seamless Migration to Modern AEI
As part of its next-generation rail product suite, TransCore also redesigned its Multiprotocol Rail Reader (MPRX) and Train Recording Unit (TRU) to support the industry’s transition to modernised AEI technology.
This transition reflects the need for more robust, high-speed data capture to support modern rail operations, automation and digital asset tracking. While legacy AEI readers like TransCore’s AI1200/AR2200 systems are still in use around the world today, MPRX readers offer additional functionality and incorporate present day design methodology, increasing compatibility and scalability as rail operations evolve.
Engineered for resilience in extreme environments, TransCore’s new MPRX reader features advanced RF tuning for greater read accuracy, allowing seamless operation across multiple RFID frequencies. Meanwhile, the TRU has been redesigned for faster data processing and real-time communication, reducing lag in train positioning, event logging and diagnostic tracking.
Together, these new solutions provide a seamless migration path from legacy AI1200/AR2200 systems, ensuring greater accuracy, efficiency and long-term compatibility with modern rail infrastructure.
Find Out More
TransCore continues to listen to customer needs and develop products that meet their industry-specific requirements.
To find out more about its next generation rail product range, or how TransCore could support your business, please visit www.transcore.com/rfid/rail-intermodal.
Smart Rail Solutions
TransCore’s rail products have a number of applications in the rail industry. These include:
- Automatic Equipment Identification
Railcar and equipment tracking, yard management/equipment inventory control, gate access control and fuel terminal authorisation. - Automatic Equipment Monitoring
Locomotive, generator or refrigerator fuel level assessment, cushioning device monitoring, moisture and lead detection and temperature monitoring. - Automatic Train Positioning
Identifies train location, monitors train speed, controls arrival and departure.
