Union Pacific's Energy Management System Enhances Train Handling, Optimizes Performance

As technology continues to transform the railroad, Union Pacific is driving operational efficiency with its Energy Management System (EMS). Akin to intelligent cruise control, the software - installed on more than 3,500 Union Pacific locomotives - is engaged by the locomotive engineer to control throttle and dynamic braking.

"EMS is optimizing our train performance," said Tarek Elkhatib, general director-Operating Technologies. "The technology predicts how the train will move."

Using real-time onboard simulations, EMS looks at a train's length and weight, the terrain and the curvature of the tracks. It then selects the best train handling strategy to control throttle and dynamic braking, effectively managing the natural push and pull of the couplers that connect rail cars.

On average, EMS reduces fuel consumption nearly 4% compared to manual operation - equating to approximately 350 gallons per 1,000 train miles. In 2023, EMS saved Union Pacific 18 million gallons of fuel while reducing greenhouse gas emissions 247,000 metric tons.

Union Pacific is operating EMS in conjunction with Positive Train Control (PTC). The two systems are tightly integrated - PTC provides EMS with real-time information on speed limits and wayside detector signals, acting as a safety overlay for EMS.

"EMS manages train forces, momentum and speed," Elkhatib said. "PTC provides an extra safeguard."

The railroad frequently enhances EMS software in its Omaha test lab, which includes eight simulators replicating real locomotives. These new unified simulators enable employees to test EMS software simultaneously with PTC.

"The new simulation platform enables us to deploy better EMS software to our locomotives faster," Elkhatib said.

In September 2024, Union Pacific's EMS-equipped locomotive fleet clocked more than 4.2 million miles using intelligent cruise control - the highest total yet since the railroad started installing the technology in 2011. Full implementation across Union Pacific's high-horsepower locomotive fleet is expected by 2026.

Did you know? As the safest, most efficient form of surface freight transportation, rail can move one ton of customer goods nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel.