Market Experience
Railroads

GIS Support - Class I Carrier: Utilizing its ESRI GIS capabilities, NELS provided a Class I Railroad with custom data layers needed to assist the carrier with its analysis of service and network capacity to reach new energy markets.

Operational Performance Short Line Railroad: Utilizing its proprietary Lane Manager™ software, NELS identified bottlenecks and choke points that resulted in increased transit times and poor customer service. NELS provided the short line with the data needed to work with its shipper and interline carriers to first understand, and then correct, the root cause of the bottlenecks.

Shippers

Coal Unit Train Monitoring and Tracking System: NELS developed a coal unit train monitoring and tracking system for a major east coast public utility to improve operations and the utilization of its railcar fleet. The system includes real-time tracking of an active 700 railcar fleet as well as diagnostics of logistics operations at the origin mines, over the road and at destination.

Fuel Burn Analysis: NELS completed a fuel burn analysis for MSW unit train operations in support of a project for the City of New York. The project involved the integration of rail routing data derived from NELS Lane Manager with its rail costing model to determine fuel consumption over various operating scenarios.

GPS Tracking: In support of a public-private partnership, NELS developed, implemented and operates, a real-time GPS tracking system for a fleet of 4,000 railcars. NELS provides data transformation services, GIS integration and on-demand web-based access to over 300 end-users.

Government Agencies

Freight Rail Risk Reduction Program: NELS has provided rail subject-matter expertise, GIS/GPS support services and analytical support to Unisys Corporation and IBM Global Business Services in the development of DHS systems that enhance the safety of the nation's rail infrastructure.

New Hampshire State Rail Plan: Providing freight rail consulting services in support of the New Hampshire State Rail Plan (NHSRP). NELS is responsible for 1) determining the current state of freight rail operations, 2) active participation in public outreach and 3) formulating strategies and recommendations for consideration by the NHDOT.

Custom Mapping of New Hampshire Transportation Network: As part of the NHSRP, NELS developed all GIS components, including: design and development of GIS data layers and custom maps depicting various attributes of the state's transportation infrastructure.

New Jersey Rail Capacity Study: NELS is currently providing HDR, Inc. with rail network data, analysis and GIS data layers and maps in support of a rail capacity study for the Northern New Jersey area and adjoining rail access to the port of NY/NJ. The ultimate client for this initiative is the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

New Jersey Geo-Database of Rail Assets: Related to the NJTPA Project, NELS developed GIS geo-database of rail assets and completed an assessment of the capacity of the NJ rail network to the year 2040, utilizing elements of advanced queuing theory.