FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


Cary, NC, August 9, 2011 (James Street Media Services)--Railinc announced today that the first phase of the Comprehensive Equipment Performance Monitoring (CEPM) program is underway and on-target for implementation in January 2012. A multi-phase, multi-year industry-wide initiative, CEPM will result in an entirely new database of railcar equipment component information. This data will provide better information that can be used to develop faster and more cost-effective component recalls, prevent derailments, lower operating costs and improve equipment maintenance planning. To accomplish this the railroad industry is developing a new process and related technology tools that will be introduced, starting with wheelsets, in 2012. CEPM will later be expanded to cover other components.
 
“CEPM will now track component-level data that the rail industry has never had,” said E. Allen West, president and CEO. “We have many milestones ahead, but CEPM will be an important step in the development of a comprehensive component health solution that will improve safety, increase productivity and reduce costs across the industry.”
 
The program’s first phase, CEPM-Wheelsets, centralizes the registration of wheelset component details and identifies the application of wheelset components, including AAR and non-AAR repairs. Railinc plans to release an update to its Umler™ system in mid-August to enable wheel shops to register wheelsets in the Umler Component Registry.
 
In January 2012, manufacturers will begin providing wheel shops with the data required to begin registration of wheelsets. In July 2012, pending industry rule changes will require that all new wheelsets be physically tagged with an AAR component ID and registered in Railinc’s Umler system.  And in January 2013, any wheelset applied to equipment must be reported to Railinc with the associated AAR Component ID.

Railinc will provide updates on CEPM-Wheelsets as the implementation date gets closer. For more information about CEPM, please visit www.railinc.com/cepm.
 
About Railinc
Railinc is the railroad industry’s innovative and reliable resource for rail data, IT and information services. The company deploys data that helps railroads, rail equipment owners and other industry participants manage their businesses more effectively and efficiently. Railinc is the largest single source of real-time, accurate interline rail data for the North American railroad system. Located in Cary, N.C., Railinc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads. For more information, please visit www.railinc.com.
 
Contact
Patrick O'Neil
Director of Corporate Communications
Railinc Corp.
p: (919) 651-5193

e: patrick.oneil@railinc.com