Certain automobile carriers are now equipped with impact recorders and satellite communication equipment. All impacts greater than 2.0g's are reported. Impacts are measured on all three axes, x (longitudinal), y (latitudinal) and y (vertical).
When an impact greater than 2g's is measured on any axis, the STARR system is notified via satellite. The satellite determines the cars location and sends it and the time and car number to the STARR office.
The following data and is an example of the report that was generated as a result of impact received by a car elsewhere on the system.
"... Subject: Rough Handling of Railcar TTGX000000 X=2.05g's Y=0.5g's Z=0.44g's
Railcar: TTGX000000 Impact Date: 08/02/96 Impact Time: 23:37:37 Central Time Impact Magnitude: 2.05 g's Impact Orientation: Longitudinal X axis (Lengthwise)..."
STARR's computer generates a report to managers on the territory where the impact occurred, so that they can determine the cause.
Two maps are computer generated, one which shows the general area where the impact occurred, and a finer scale map which shows the location of the car within one tenth of a mile.
So far one such inpact has occurred on the Fort Worth Service Unit between Centennial Yard and Tower 55.