Tideworks to automate BNSF intermodal yard
BNSF Railway will test the use of terminal management system developed by Tideworks Technology at its Alliance Intermodal Facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the software provider said Thursday.
Tideworks Technology, a subsidiary of Seattle-based Carrix Inc. and sister to marine terminal operator SSA Marine, has modified its Spinnaker yard planning to help automate equipment moves in, out and within the BNSF rail yard. The system will enable BNSF to track containers, trailers, chassis, rail cars and other assets using a graphical interface. It will interact with existing gate systems and BNSF’s existing enterprise planning system.
The technology is especially useful as BNSF develops plans to stack containers in intermodal yards as is done in marine terminals. Alliance is BNSF’s fifth-largest rail-truck switching facility.
BNSF's move is part of a growing trend in the U.S. intermodal business to adopt the best practices of container terminals. To read more about the companies and dynamics behind this trend, see the cover story in the October issue of American Shipper. ' Eric Kulisch