TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY:
Operations Analysis and Improvement
  Client:   A Class I railroad operating a classification yard originating or terminating thirty trains per day with connections to five other major railroads, various online terminals and industrial customers.
     
  Problem:   The classification yard was frequently operating at a slow pace or velocity due to excessive freight cars on hand, yard crew performance, and general conditions. The results were numerous train delays and excessive car hire costs.
     
  Approach:   Use a consulting team with extensive experience in classification yard operation, train scheduling and terminal management at both the hands-on and supervisory levels to perform site observation and data collection, including existing traffic flows, train-to-train connections, and yard crew performance. Identify congestion points both within the yard and in train scheduling. Conduct interviews with key personnel and develop a set of recommendations for yard improvement.
     
  Results:   Twenty-one specific ideas were proposed to ease congestion, facilitate the daily and longer-range planning process, provide timely information reporting, establish cross-functional teams to address service issues, establish performance standards for various tasks, and more effectively utilize available staff and technology. Identified savings in reduced car hire costs of $1,700,000. Recommendations were submitted for detailed implementation of operations improvements at the facility and to grow the new improved process to other classification yards and terminals on the railroad.
       
   
Return to Project Briefs View next Project Brief >>
 
About Us | Capabilities/Practices | Projects/Results | Our People |
News/Events | Publications | Clients | Careers | Contact Us | Home