ESSMANN UIC number recognition

What is a UIC number?

The UIC number (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer – International Union of Railways) is a unique identification number for freight and passenger wagons in rail transport. It is used to uniquely assign wagons between rail transport companies, infrastructure managers and government agencies.

A complete UIC number consists of twelve digits. The first two digits represent the code for the interchange procedure, while the third and fourth digits represent the UIC country code. The fifth to eighth digits indicate the generic code, followed by the ninth to eleventh digits, which represent the serial number of a type. The twelfth digit is the self-checking digit.

Since 2007, all newly registered rail vehicles have also been given a twelve-digit number, which enables the traction unit to be clearly identified in the international vehicle register.

What is automated UIC number recognition needed for?

The automatic recognition of UIC numbers is particularly useful when used in combination with static and dynamic track scales. Many of our customers use this technology successfully. The big advantage is that the weigher no longer has to enter the UIC numbers manually in the weighing results.

To simplify this process, we have integrated interfaces to our customers’ higher-level rail systems into our EWP-GW rail scales software in recent years. This makes it possible to transmit the train’s wagon sequence together with the UIC numbers from the higher-level system to the weighing software. The weigher no longer has to enter the entire UIC number into the program before weighing, but simply compares the transmitted UIC number in the software and carries out the weighing at the touch of a button.

We have automated this process even further in our dynamic track scales. In practice, however, it can happen in rare cases that the wagon sequence differs from the wagon sequence in the software due to changes in the operating procedure. This is where camera-based UIC number recognition offers additional security! This system can be retrofitted to both static and dynamic track scales. We also offer the retrofitting of this system to track scales from other manufacturers.

How does camera-based UIC number recognition work?

UIC number recognition is based on video cameras with lighting units that scan the passing trains on both sides and evaluate the images with our EWP software.

The process flow is as follows:

• The start, end and individual carriages of the train are automatically recognized by an algorithm and sensors in the track.
• Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, the lighting is activated to ensure good camera recognition even in poor visibility.
• The generated images are assigned to the individual wagons.
• The UIC number is automatically recognized by our software and assigned to the weighing result in our weighing software.

Our technology for UIC number recognition is based on OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which means intelligent image processing. Image recognition has two main influencing factors:

• The quality of the software with the detection algorithm used in it
• The quality of the image capture technology, the camera and the lighting

The key factor is the quality of the detection software. The sophistication of the detection software, the intelligence and quality of the detection algorithms used, the mathematical knowledge and the years of experience behind it determine the capabilities of the detection software.

The better the algorithms, the higher the quality of the detection software:
the highest detection accuracy,

• the fastest processing speed,
• the greater the range of image quality it can process,
• the more tolerant it is of distortions in the input data.

Our weatherproof cameras and the lighting system are either mounted on two masts on each side of the track. Communication takes place via Ethernet to a control cabinet in which the control system is installed.

Features

ESSMANN’s UIC number recognition uses an algorithm-based approach and state-of-the-art optical recognition software to capture and transmit data in real time. It supports the identification of all train lengths and freight wagons, from freight trains to box wagons. UIC number recognition OCR can read codes and labels on freight containers, cars, wagons and rail vehicles. It also recognizes codes or identification numbers that are low-contrast, stencilled or unevenly written.

Our UIC number recognition system can be easily integrated into various railroad, ERP and TOS systems using software interfaces. It uses energy-efficient solid-state LED lighting, which ensures excellent image quality. The high level of accuracy is maintained even in poor lighting conditions.

Advantages

UIC number recognition from ESSMANN | Waagen & Automation is reliable, flexible and convenient. It fully automates the weighing process and offers numerous advantages:

1. Reliability: UIC number recognition improves productivity and increases accuracy.
2. Flexibility: Regular updates eliminate software vulnerabilities and extend the functions.
3. Convenience: By reducing personnel costs, it lowers costs.

With UIC number recognition from ESSMANN | Waagen & Automation, you can optimize your processes efficiently and sustainably.