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Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Savi's SmartChain Asset Management software now is being utilized by The Dow Chemical Company's Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) rail tank car fleet to automatically monitor the location and security status of the hazardous materials they transport.

The Dow Railcar Shipment Visibility system incorporates GPS satellite communication systems and sensors affixed to tank cars, enabling Dow to “ping” on demand or receive automated alerts of possible security breaches, unsafe temperatures, and high impacts to tank cars. Geo-fencing capabilities that leverage satellite images enable identification of the nearest first responder in the case of an emergency or security threat.

The integrated system encompasses a number of components. First, a variety of sensors can be affixed to the railcars to detect unauthorized opening of the dome, unsafe temperatures inside the tanks, impacts, and chemical odors. Second, GPS devices placed on the tank cars communicate the sensor data and location to satellite or cellular communication systems. Third, all wireless data is transmitted to the feature-rich Savi SmartChain Asset Management Application, which is software that transforms the data into useful information to better manage operations and security of the rail tank cars.

Dow has designated Savi Technology's software as a “Most Effective Technology” for multiple business units to track a wide range of mobile assets, or “shipping vessels,” including totes, cylinders, containers, trucks, and railcars.