AccuWeather helps Union Pacific run safe railroad
Operating what amounts to an outdoor factory, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country, providing a critical link in the global supply chain and delivering the products that support Americans’ daily lives.
Union Pacific operates across multiple geographical regions with wildly varying climates. While its network is broad, the railroad needs weather information that’s precise. AccuWeather’s Enterprise Solutions (AES) delivers forecast information for Union Pacific in both tactical and real-time scenarios to ensure the railroad has accurate and timely information to keep its trains moving – or, in some cases, not moving or re-routed – and its employees and communities safe.
Union Pacific specifically leans on AES’ exclusive services including milepost-by-milepost warnings, the ability to tailor content including overlaying forecast maps over track routes, and temperature-swing information alerts. AES gives Union Pacific direct access to a meteorologist who provides forecasting detail and expertise with the high confidence level the railroad needs to plan for operations.
“We find these parts of the service to be critical in keeping our 32,000 route miles of track as safe and fluid as possible,” said Tyler Adamson, Union Pacific general director, Systems and Standards. Weather variables include high winds, flash flooding, blizzards, heavy snow, heavy rain and extreme high- and low-temperature swings.
Union Pacific network superintendents, responsible for an operating region in a defined territory, are located in the company’s centralized dispatching centers in Omaha, Nebraska, and Spring, Texas. They receive Storm Potential Outlooks, Storm Potential Notices and daily forecast information to assist in proper risk mitigation and to minimize weather impact on customer deliveries. Train dispatchers receive real-time alerts and warnings and immediately take the appropriate action for trains operating in areas of high-risk weather.
In 2016, AES issued 22,171 SkyGuard warnings for Union Pacific. The most warnings in a day were 457 on May 26, 2016, followed closely by 432 warnings on May 25, 2015. The highest number of warnings in a single month was 3,879 in July 2016.
“Safety is the top priority for Union Pacific. AccuWeather assists us as we continuously look for the most innovative ways to enhance safety and security for our employees, communities and customers, all while maintaining high levels of customer service,” Adamson said.
AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions, the world's leading commercial weather source partnering with more than 240 of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses and government agencies worldwide, provides the most accurate, actionable weather data, forecasts and intelligence that saves lives, protects property, drives revenue, minimizes risk, increases productivity and more for clients worldwide. AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions has focused on the business impacts of weather for over 50 years, serving clients in all 50 states in the United States and worldwide including all of North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America and Asia. Clients across all industries rely on AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions for the most accurate weather information and insights to drive quantifiable business results. Government and emergency management agencies also rely on AccuWeather for the best forecasts of severe weather events - floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, cyclones and others - available from any source. By forecasting and communicating the weather the most accurately and effectively worldwide, focusing on impacts - telling people how, why and what they need to do in order to save lives and minimize losses - AccuWeather has saved tens of thousands of lives and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. Learn more here.
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Accuracy is foundational to AccuWeather, reflected in the company's name: Accuracy + Weather = AccuWeather. AccuWeather gathers the best and most comprehensive weather data to deliver forecasts with Superior Accuracy. Forecasts are pinpointed for every location on Earth and extend further ahead than any other source. With the most complete global real-time and historical data, most robust database of forecast models, most advanced forecast engine globally, proprietary patents and comprehensive validation results, AccuWeather is the most accurate weather company worldwide.
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