CoA - Control Office Application

 CoA  - Control Office Application

Website Link of CoA: https://cris.org.in/loadpage?page=proCOA 

• CoA stands for Control Office Application 

• Implemented in all 68 Divisions in Indian Railways 

• TSR - Train Signal Register - 600 plus locations 

• TSR - A Register kept at Railway stations to record the actual movement of the Trains.  

Need of CoA

•  To automate the Control Rooms i.e., nerve centre of Train operations. 

• To ensure systematic control, monitoring & fluidity of train movements 24/7

• To capture Train movements real time. 

• To provide an analytical DSS (Decision Support System) tool for improving operational efficiency. 

Salient features: 

• Requires the Controllers to enter data related to the train operations (as they receive information from the control points or stations) 

• Charts the running of the train in a section 

• Generates the advance forecast based on various operational parameters. 

• To order trains, view all possible routes, divert or re-route trains. 

• Has the facility for capturing and viewing details of composition of the train, details of the crew and the Locomotive. 

• Shows details of line occupancy, caution orders etc. 

• Designed to facilitate its integration with other applications such as FOIS, ICMS, NTES, PAM, RTIS, REMMLOT and CMS. 

• Train BPC (Break Power Certificate), Caution Order, Train Order, Regulation, Stabling, Yarding, Train schedule modification, Consist and Train Modification (like Diversion) is shared in between respective applications.

• TSR data is sent to the CoA divisional server. Further, this data updates in NTES, FOIS and ICMS through CAS server.

CoA Advantages:

• Removes drudgery (hard work) of the manual system of drawing control charts with various colour pencils. 

• Trains running information - available - to take decisions quickly 

• Quick reference tools such as Blocks, Cautions, loco details, crew details, stabled trains and siding position reduces retrieval time of information. 

•  Paperless operations. Helping a green environment. 

• Accurate train movement information helps NTES - National Train Enquiry System

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GMT - Gross Million Tonne - Statistics in IR

 

GMT - Gross Million Tonne (Statistics in IR)

• Source: Click for Railway Board Letter No. 2024/I & Trans. Cell/GMT dated 24.04.2024 

• GMT stands for Gross Million Tonne 

What is GMT ? 

• Gross = Total Load i.e., Carrying Capacity (Tare Load + Payload) 

• Million = 10 Lakhs

• Tonne = 1000 Kgs 

• I.e., 100 Crores Kgs  or 1 Million Tonne 

• GMT is a primary performance metric   - serves 3 groups of Railway Statistics in IR Statistics Manual i.e., 1. Economic Statistics 2. Transportation Statistics & 3. Administrative Statistics. 

• GMT data of every train on every line  - captured on FOIS / ICMS / CoA

•  FOIS stands for Freight Operations Information System 

• ICMS stands for Integrated Coaching Management System

• CoA stands for Control Office Application

• Traffic Density Data (GMT)  - an integral part of Indian Railways IT Systems architecture. 

Why GMT is important: GMT data is a crucial decision criterion for 

• Planned Track Renewals 

• Preventive maintenance (like periodicity of USFD - Ultrasonic Flaw Detection) 

• Riding quality (Track degradation model) 

• Effective allocation of rails, track materials & resources, among works/projects under Plan Heads 11 - New Lines, 15 - Doubling & 31 - Track Renewals.

Existing mechanism (up to 2022-23) - calculation of GMT 

• Computed by Zonal Railways 

• Basis is GTKM & Lead (Kms) 

• Manually input in TMS - Track Management System 

•  Limitation is for sections with more than 2 lines (i.e., 3rd/4th line), the line wise GMT data is not available.  

New mechanism - from 2023-24 onwards   - calculation of GMT 

• Zonal Railways would provide GMT data by May of the following year.  Example: For 2023-24 the data should be available by May 2024 and so on. 

• All GMT data in TMS  - sync (API based) with the systems architecture

• API stands for Architecture Programming Interface

• No physical copies. No manual input in TMS - Track Management System

• No signed copies in parallel 

• GMT data from FOIS/ICMS/CoA would flow daily into TAMS - Traffic Accounts Management System   ( SMRTI - Statistical Module on Rail Transport Information) 

• From TAMS to TMS 

• From 2024-25 onwards - GMT data - refined format i..e, Block section wise Line wise  (earlier line was not available) 

• Zonal Railways Statistical Units (under PFA)  - issue Monthly & Annual GMT Data

• SPOC for Statistical Information Module   - GM/TAMS @ CRIS 

• SPOC for input data of FOIS/ICMS/CoA - GM/OR @ CRIS

• SPOC stands for Single Point of Contact 

• It is calculated for Railway Tracks involving multiple factors and is a complex process. 

• It is determined through detailed engineering analysis and simulation. 

GMT Calculated for Railway Tracks involving multiple factors.  These are: 

1.  Axle Load: Higher axle loads leads to greater wear and tear. 

2. Train Speed: Higher speeds can cause track degradation. 

3. Train Frequency: The number of trains passing over a track within specified time (Line Capacity) can affect stress & wear on the track. 

4. Track structure & Material: Ballasted or non-ballasted track and the material used play a significant role in determining load capacity & maintenance requirements. 

5. Climate & weather: Extreme temperature or heavy rainfall conditions impact the Track’s durability. 

6. Track maintenance practices: Frequency of track maintenance influences the overall track performance. 

Note: The above instructions are in supersession of any previous instructions on the subject (GMT) and in the event of conflict with any other instructions / part of any other instructions, the above instructions would prevail. 

Key points -  GMT 

1. GMT is a primary performance metric   - serves 3 groups of Railway Statistics in IR Statistics Manual i.e., 1. Economic Statistics 2. Transportation Statistics & 3. Administrative Statistics. 

2. Statistical units in Zonal Railways - under control of PFA 

3. GMT  - Revised policy   w.e.f 01.4.2024 onwards  (or FY 2023-24 onwards) 

4. GMT means Traffic Density Data 

5. GMT data from FOIS/ICMS/CoA would flow daily into TAMS - Traffic Accounts Management System   ( SMRTI - Statistical Module on Rail Transport Information) 

6. From TAMS to TMS  

7. No physical copies.  No signed copies.  No manual input in TMS 

8. From 2024-25 onwards - GMT data - refined format i..e, Block section wise Line wise  (earlier line was not available) 

9. Zonal Railways Statistical Units (under PFA)  - issue Monthly & Annual GMT Data

10. SPOC for Statistical Information Module   - GM/TAMS @ CRIS 

11. SPOC for input data of FOIS/ICMS/CoA - GM/OR @ CRIS 

Abbreviations 

1. GMT  - Gross Million Tonne

2. FOIS - Freight Operations Information System 

3. ICMS - Integrated Coaching Management System

4. CoA - Control Office Application

5. USFD - Ultrasonic Flaw Detection

6. TMS - Track Management System 

7. GTKM - Gross Tonne Kilometer

8. API - Architecture Programming Interface

9. SMRTI - Statistical Module on Rail Transport Information 

10. SPOC - Single Point of Contact 

11. CRIS - Centre for Railway Information Systems

—-end—-

EOL - Engine On Load - Commercial topic

 

 

EOL - Engine On Load 

 

• Source: New/Revised policy on EOL Freight Marketing Circular 16 of 2023   - In supersession of all the earlier instructions issued on the EOL.

 

• Need of the Circular 16 ?  

1.    Launch of GCT - Gati-Shakti Cargo Terminals.

2.    Amendments to PFT & Private Siding policies.

3.    Addressing operational issues. 

4.    Optimum utilization of Rolling stock. 

5.    Prompt clearance of Freight trains from the Terminals

• EOL stands for Engine On Load. 

 

• What is EOL? A system of operations that would permit the placement and clearance of the rake at the Terminals by the same Locomotive within the time. 

 

• In EOL,  

1.    The Train locomotive will remain available during the loading and/or unloading operations in the Terminal, 

2.     And, wait on Railway’s account (till the free time permitted for loading/unloading 

3.    So as to work the train (rake) immediately after loading/unloading operation is completed.  

• Terminals under EOL means Terminals operated by GCT - Gati-Shakti Terminals, PFT - Private Freight Terminals & Private Sidings.  

• All New Cargo terminals  - preferably operate under EOL.  Exemption only be given under operational/geographical constraints with the consent of Zonal Operating Dept and the personal approval of the DRM.  

  

• Through distance basis:  Terminals notified for charging on Through distance basis can operate under the EOL system of operations. 

 

• Who built facilities for loading/unloading  -  Terminal operators 

 

Conversion: 

A.             Non EOL into EOL 

·        Condition of “Through distance basis”. 

·        Signing an EOL agreement with the Division. 

B.    EOL into Non EOL or Partial EOL

·        Where problems are being faced in effective implementation of EOL system in Terminals due to operational/geographic constraints. 

·        In Division: Should send “Detailed operational justification” with the approval of DRM to the Zonal Hqrs. 

·        In Zonal Hqrs: Joint approval of PCOM & PCMM who will pass a reasoned speaking order. 

·        The Terminal operator will be required to clear all the pending dues and withdraw all pending arbitration/court cases against the Railways. 

 

• What is Partial EOL ? 

1.    Certain Terminals serves old plants and new plants (one of them is under EOL) 

2.    Terminals serve some commodities under EOL (Example: Unloading of Coal) and some commodities under Non EOL (Example: Loading of Fly ash)   

 

• Agreement Signing Authority: 

1.    Railways -   Sr.DCM

2.    Terminal - Legal Representative 

 

• Cost of Commercial Staff borne by the Terminals

 

Terminal Type	Categories	Cost levied
EOL	All	Nil
Non EOL/Partial EOL	GCT	Nil
	PFT/Private Siding	One staff

  

• EHC - Engine Hire Charges: Levied at the notified AIEHC for one Locomotive only for Each Rake  (though multi-Loco or double headed Loco used as per the need of the load)

 

Status of Loading / Unloading	Status of Locomotive	EHC	Remarks
Within Free Time	Present / Absent	Nil
Beyond Free Time	Absent	Nil
	Present	Yes   (From the end of Free Time to the completion of Loading / Unloading	Irrespective of the fact, whether the shunting operations have been performed or not

• Siding Charges - Nil for the EOL Terminals as well as Bulb type Terminals. 

 

• What is Bulb type Terminal? The Terminal where freight is charged on the basis of through distance up to a specified loading or unloading point and not for the entire length of the Terminal. 

Key points for MCQ:

1.    EOL stands for Engine On Load

2.    GCT stands for Gati-Shakti Cargo Terminal

3.    PFT stands for Private Freight Terminal

4.    EHC stands for Engine Hire Charges 

5.    AIEHC stands for All India Engine Hire Charges

6.    New/Revised Freight Marketing Circular 16 of 2023 (on EOL) 

7.    All New Cargo terminals  - preferably operate under EOL.

8.    Conversion of EOL into Non EOL or Partial EOL: Approval of DRM, then Joint Approval of PCOM & PCMM with reasoned Speaking order.

9.    Agreement Signing Authorities: Railways - Sr.DCM and Terminal - Legal Representative. 

10.                    EHC applicable only: Beyond Free time subject to presence of Locomotive during the Loading/Unloading operations at the Terminals.  

11.                    Cost of One Commercial staff borne by the Non EOL Terminals/Partial EOL Terminals of PFT/Private Sidings only. 

12.                    Cost of the Commercial staff - Nil for EOL Terminals of all categories and Non EOL/Partial EOL of GCT. 

13.                    Siding Charges - Nil for the EOL Terminals as well as Bulb type Terminals.  

 

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