GPS based Patrolman Monitoring System begins in Pune Railway Division
Safety and Security are extremely important for the Indian Railways and it is our prime concern. Pune Division of Central Railway has always been ahead in innovation and implementation of new technologies in day to day Railway working to enhance the safety of track and train operation.
For ensuring the safety of train operation various types of patrolling eg. Monsoon patrolling, hot weather/ cold weather patrolling, keyman patrolling etc. are being done regularly. The duties of patrolmen are very critical, hence monitoring of patrolling is a very important item for ensuring the safety of train operations. Earlier physical monitoring of patrolmen was being done in which supervisor/officer used to check patrolmen during regular/surprise inspections like trolley inspection, footplate inspection etc.
In this monitoring, it was difficult to know whether patrolmen have started patrolling at right time, whether he has completed his beat in the stipulated time etc. To overcome all these day to day difficulties and to eliminate human intervention-based monitoring system technological advancement GPS devices are being used now a days to monitor real time position, speed etc. of various assets.
As per Railway board guidelines, Pune division has provided 300 GPS devices to all patrolmen, keymen including monsoon patrolmen and now real-time monitoring of patrolling can be done through apps in mobile, Desktop by SSE/P-Way in charge, sectional ADEN and in control office of Divisional office. There are various advantages of monitoring patrolling through GPS devices like it ensures real-time monitoring of patrolling activity of keymen/patrolmen. It ensures accuracy and adherence to the assigned schedule. GPS device transmits the location and SOS alert to Divisional engineering control, sectional and incharge PWI,s and ADEN’s.
The monitoring is done through application software on a cloud subscription basis with Map view, report generation and related assistance accessible via secured username and password over an internet browser. The software generates an exception report of keymen/patrolmen which includes battery status, off devices, beat not covered, beat completed successfully and over speeding. For any irregularities, concern patrolmen can be called for explanation or counselled. The software generates a report daily like device signal information, monitor SOS press, Device battery status, exception report, device on or off status.
Due to the advantages of this system, all patrolmen are alert all the time while on duty. Recently during heavy rainfall, flooding occurred in Miraj, Kolhapur district where due to the sudden rising of water level, washout took place at many locations in Miraj-Kolhapur section. Due to the alertness of our patrolmen and bridge watchmen, washout and flood situation was brought to the notice of Engineering control and higher officials immediately and train services stopped in the affected section and thus a major unusual/ incident was averted.
