Avtec Scout: Voice and Radio Dispatch Platform for Freight Rail
A comprehensive solution from Motorola Solutions designed to enhance communication and operational efficiency for freight railroads.
Introduction
Railroad performance success is measured by critical personnel and rail network safety metrics, as well as major operational metrics like railcar velocity, dwell time, train speed, and train length. All these require clear, reliable communications. Avtec Scout™ dispatch consoles, a mix-and-match, software-based family of solutions, seamlessly integrate mission-critical communications technologies, including radios and telephony, to make enterprises more efficient and improve financial operating ratios.
Key Features and Benefits
Proven Reliability
For over 45 years, Avtec has set the standard for dispatch communication systems that perform without fail. Today, most railroad networks choose Scout dispatch consoles, including:
- 70% of Class I railroads in North America
- Hundreds of short-line, regional, and transit railroads in the United States
- All leading freight railroads in Mexico and South America
Scalability
The Scout family provides a pure VoIP solution for main line, yard, disaster recovery, or maintenance operations. Its components can be distributed over a LAN/WAN using standard Ethernet technology without a centralized time-division multiplex (TDM) switch. Scout systems can grow in capacity and capabilities, offering remote and "pooled resource" options, and enterprise-wide management of multiple Scout systems.
Reliability
With the safety of millions of passengers at stake, exceptional audio quality, high availability, and fail-safe operation are essential. The Scout family offers a robust voice communication architecture with built-in redundancies for critical components, ensuring railroad communications are always on. The document emphasizes that "Because on the tracks, every day is a mission-critical day."
Connectivity
Scout dispatch consoles connect all voice devices. Survey data indicates:
- 68% of rail workers carry two devices for communication.
- 25% use as many as three devices.
- 92% of transportation workers believe connecting with colleagues using any device would be valuable, with over half stating it would be very valuable.
Source: Motorola Solutions Transportation and Logistics Communications Surveys
Why Avtec Scout?
Safety
U.S. freight railroads have lower employee injury rates than most other major industries. While technology and automation play a role, clear communication is the key to safety. From a Scout console, dispatchers can safely and efficiently manage:
- Locomotive and track-side two-way radio communications to the dispatch center
- Yard, intermodal, and maintenance facilities activity
- Disaster recovery operations
IT-Friendly
Scout systems offer flexible setup and simplified maintenance for IT directors and managers. Features include:
- Open standards architecture, avoiding proprietary system lock-in.
- Compatibility with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) PCs, servers, and monitors.
- Optional virtualized (VMware) back-office functions for enterprise server environments.
- Support for USB peripherals (Avtec designed/manufactured and COTS).
- Dashboard-based performance monitoring/reporting and alarm notifications.
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) message exporting.
Technology Integration
Scout dispatch consoles integrate with legacy and Next Gen third-party technologies, providing one-touch access to locomotive/wayside radios. They support rail industry DTMF calling and common radio/telephony interfaces, including:
- Standard analog FM
- NXDN for conventional and trunked modes
- DMR Tiers II & III
- MOTOTRBO complete system suite
- P25 for conventional and trunked modes
- Traditional, IP-based, and cloud-based PBXs
Support Programs
Avtec offers subscription-based, post-warranty maintenance and support programs: ScoutCare™, ScoutCare Plus™, and Avtec Protect™. These provide a safety net for mission-critical communications. ScoutCare includes:
- 24/7/365 US-based technical support from Scout system experts.
- Latest Scout software releases and patches for new capabilities and enhanced security.
- Annual system administrator training (new and refresher).
- Access to Avtec Connect, a web-based portal with product guides, software release notes, and training videos.
ScoutCare Plus adds simplified, streamlined software upgrades via a cloud-based portal. Avtec Protect offers security patching, keeping systems up-to-date with the latest Microsoft OS patches and STIG settings.
Meet the Scout Enterprise Family
The Scout Enterprise family offers various models to suit different operational needs:
Scout EX
The most robust solution, capable of monitoring up to 250 audio streams and 2,000 channels. Ideal for railroad operations requiring a secure, scalable, and redundant console solution to manage hundreds of resources daily.
Scout E8
Monitors up to eight audio streams and eight channels, offering maximum value for a minimal investment. Compatible with all Scout Enterprise products for easy expansion as dispatch needs grow.
Scout E4
Manages up to four audio streams and eight channels. This cost-effective solution is compatible with Scout EX and E8 consoles, allowing for additional software licenses as needed.
Broaden and Enhance Your Communications
Avtec's Scout platform collaborates with other best-in-class solutions, including those from Motorola Solutions:
Broadband PTT (WAVE)
WAVE is the industry's broadest portfolio of LTE and Wi-Fi devices for instant communications and radio network interoperability. This subscription-based service offers many push-to-talk (PTT) options, connecting employees regardless of their device, network, or location.
Emergency Call Management (VESTA® 9-1-1)
The VESTA® 9-1-1 call handling solution manages the process of receiving and dispatching emergency calls cost-effectively. VESTA software is involved in 65% of 911 calls in the U.S. It helps railroad police and security departments achieve integrated, multimedia communications, providing seamless workflows and deployment options to save time, money, and lives.
Situational Awareness (CommandCentral Aware)
CommandCentral Aware is a cloud-based location and mapping solution that enhances centralized integration for Scout dispatch communications, WAVE Broadband PTT, MOTOTRBO Radio Systems, and Avigilon and Vigilant video solutions. It keeps people connected, provides situational awareness, and enables effective responses by locating and notifying teams of dangerous situations, inclement weather, or workplace violence.
Video Security and Analytics (Avigilon and Vigilant)
Solutions from Avigilon and Vigilant provide video security, analytics, access control, and license plate recognition, ensuring operations receive timely and accurate information. Cameras can be deployed wayside, in rail yards, or at key vehicle entry points to provide dispatchers with visual insight for improved security.
Teldio TruFleet Plus
This solution tracks MOTOTRBO radios in real-time via a web-based interface accessible from the Scout console. It allows users to view, search, and replay radio tracking, create geofences with alerts, and generate reports to drive operational outcomes. Text messages can also be sent directly to employees from Scout consoles.
