CN
In CN’s intermodal yards, car mechanics often work close to cranes, sometimes in tight spaces. To reduce risks, the Class I developed the Proximity LifeSaver Device, a wearable system that alerts both mechanics and crane operators in real time when someone is too lose to a danger zone.
The Proximity LifeSaver Devie, which was first tested at CN’s Taschereau Yard in Montreal in 2024 and developed with input from the Class I’s yard teams from day one, is set for broader roll-out across CN.
“Behind this innovation is something stronger: teamwork. Together, our railroaders are building smarter, safer ways to work, because every decision begins with looking out for each other,” CN said in a LinkedIn post.
CPKC
Last week at the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards in Toronto, the CPKC Geotechnical Engineering team took home two awards celebrating the group’s “innovative work to reduce risk and increase operational safety across the network.”
Tom Bourgonje, Vice President Engineering, and Mehwish Rahman, Director Geotechnical Engineering, accepted the Innovation and Technology Award and the Schreyer Award on behalf of the team.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the second award, the Schreyer Award, which is the highest honor in Engineering in Canada,” said Mehwish.
These awards, the Class I says, recognize CPKC’s work with Tetra Tech in creating an advanced waterbody monitoring system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing technique (Synthetic Aperture Radar – SAR) through satellite data collection to detect water-related hazards along the CPKC’s rail network.
The system offers near real-time visibility across CPKC’s network, scanning more than 1.2 million waterbodies along more than 12,600 miles in images. AI then analyzes these images against pre-determined business rules and sends alerts for different categories of potential water-related hazards, such as high water/flooding, beaver dams and increasing proximity of water to the tracks that could impact railway operations and safety.
This information, CPKC says, helps keep people and trains safe, by catching potential hazards and prioritizing work before issues develop.
“This approach sets a new standard for smart infrastructure. The system operates without requiring physical equipment and, as the AI continues to monitor our network, it gets smarter as it learns from real-life feedback,” the Class I noted.
“Congratulations to Tom and the Geotechnical Engineering team for these well-deserved awards. Your award-winning work is another example of how CPKC is always innovating to help keep our network safe.”
In related news, CPKC leaders from Sales & Marketing and Network & Capacity Management hosted short line and transload stakeholders from across the Class I’s network in Kansas City last week at the Business Development and Transload Conference.
This annual event offers a forum for Sales & Marketing to provide market updates while building relationships through valuable in-person sessions with business stakeholders, CPKC noted.
The agenda included a welcome from Coby Bullard, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Merchandise, Energy and Business Development, and market updates from the ECP, Bulk and Intermodal teams. Additional presenters profiled and discussed CPKC’s Site Ready industrial development program, Mexico markets and nearshoring, as well as an economic update.
“This year’s record attendance at our Business Development and Transload Conference brought together more than 220 participants from 95 companies spanning Canada, the United States and Mexico, showcasing the unmatched reach and collaboration within our network,” said Bullard. “By uniting short lines, transload operators, ports and industry stakeholders, this forum sparks new ideas and investments that drive growth and deliver lasting value for partners and customers alike.”
At the marquee event of the conference, CPKC celebrated outstanding performance among transload and short lines with an awards ceremony hosted by Coby Bullard and Mike Walczak, Vice President Service Design and Operations Technology. Awards for outstanding performance and investment and innovation were presented to the following companies:
- 2024 Outstanding Transload Performance Award, Canada: CPKC Transload Scotford, Operated by Arrow Reload Systems, Inc.
- 2024 Outstanding Transload Performance Award, USA: CPKC Transload Shoreham Yard, Operated by Stone Arch Commodities
- 2024 Outstanding Transload Performance Award, Mexico: Sipsa Bajio Terminal
- Driving Growth: Investment and Innovation on CPKC: Sprague Operating Resources, LLC
- 2024 Outstanding Short Line Performance Award, Canada: Essex Terminal Railway (ETR)
- 2024 Outstanding Short Line Performance Award, USA: Fort Worth and Western Railway (FWWR)
