We have released some enhanced functionality within the RailState user interface (UI) and would like to provide a brief overview. They include:
1. Watchlist Report: You can now set a watchlist report schedule, which will trigger a watchlist query to be run and results sent as an attached summary to email recipients. The schedule can be set as every day, every week, or every month, and can assist in automating some reporting.
2. Expanded Equipment List Utility: Building off of the existing Equipment List functionality now you can use these lists to assist in segmenting traffic of interest in two ways:
- Charts: Within Group By, you can now group results by combinations of equipment lists, or 'No equipment list'. This will help visualize and benchmark results containing equipment of interest vs other.
- Search: Within the Search results table, we have added a new Equipment Lists column, which will show a list of any equipment lists detect for that train. This is a helpful tool when looking to segment 'your trains' vs other.
3. Equipment Counts: Within the Search screen, in summary and table results, we have provided additional visibility into counts of specific equipment detected within the train composition. They are:
- 'Locomotives' and 'Locomotive Count': The total number of locomotives detected within the train composition.
- 'Cars' and 'Car Count': The total number of cars (not distinguishing individual platforms for intermodal cars).
- 'Cars/Platforms' and 'Car/Platform Count': The total number of cars and platforms (distinguishing individual platforms for intermodal cars)
4. Map Enhancements: At different levels of zoom, we now summarize or provide additional granularity to the map visual. Zoom out and we will consolidate data into larger groupings and counts for a cleaner visual. Zoom in and we will display all data by sensor site with directional arrows.
Further below you will find some explanations, ‘how to’ steps, and definitions.
If you have any suggestions or would like an overview of any existing features reach out to support+UI@RailState.com or click this link: Schedule an Overview
Watchlist Report:
After creating a watchlist, or to set a schedule on any existing watchlist, navigate to Watchlists in the top menu bar, then select Settings on the Watchlist line you wish to schedule, as shown below:
Step 1: In the dialogue box that appears, enter a watchlist name and watchlist description. (This detail will show in the email to recipients, so add any context you feel would be useful.) Press continue.
Step 2: Under 'Report Schedule' make a selection. The 'no' option would mean it is not scheduled, and as such would be useful to come back to in the future if you have a scheduled report that you want to suspend but not delete. Otherwise select every day, every week, or every month.
Under 'File Type' make a selection as to what format you want the attachment to be in when sent to recipients. Options include XLS, PDF, JSON, and CSV.
Under 'Recipients' Emails', enter one or more email addresses, separated by commas. Each recipient will receive an email each time the report runs.
To finalize, press 'Save watchlist'
Upon pressing 'Save watchlist' the report will run immediately and be sent to recipients. (Depending on the selection made, each day the report will be sent at the same time. Each week it will be sent on the same day and time, and each month it will be sent on each date and time.)
The sent email will include a summary of the Watchlist, with the report content attached. Example below.
Note: This is a first iteration of scheduled Watchlist Report. Future releases will include the ability to set a custom time, as well as additional unsubscribe options. If you have any feedback, please reach out.
BEFORE WE CONTINUE -> FINDING THE NEW COLUMNS:
When new Columns are added to the UI you can find them under 'Customize' within the results tables of given screens. Example as shown below:
Click the Customize button, check the columns you wish to see in view (such as Train Tag), and press apply.
Tip: If there are columns checked that you do not care to see in your view, simply unselect them. In the same window, to change the order in which columns appear on your screen, click, hold, and drag the column name and sort the list in the order you want them to appear. (They will appear on your screen left to right based on what is checked, and highest on this list.) At the bottom of the same window, you can set your Default Sorting parameters.
After making your changes press Apply and this will set your results table layout. (Next time you return to this screen it will remain as you had it set. These changes flow through to the 'Download' functionality as well - so your downloads will match your preferred layout.)
Now that you are able to see the columns you wish to see let's continue to the new features!
Expanded Equipment List Utility:
You can find the additions within Charts and Search.
In Charts, look for 'Equipment list' within the Group By as indicated below. Check this box, and all associated equipment lists, or groupings of equipment lists, will appear further below. You can select one option that has all your lists, and another than says 'No equipment list', as an example, and will be able to compare 'your traffic' with 'other' traffic.
In Search results look for the Equipment Lists column, which will show a list of any equipment lists (by name) that we were able to detect equipment from for that train. By comparing empty values with your list values, you are now able to compare 'your traffic' with 'other' traffic.
Equipment Counts: In the Search results summary you will now see the rolling stock counts broken into three categories. They are:
- 'Locomotives': The total number of locomotives detected within the train composition.
- 'Cars': The total number of cars (not distinguishing individual platforms for intermodal cars).
- 'Cars/Platforms': The total number of cars and platforms (distinguishing individual platforms for intermodal cars).
An example is below:
In the Search results table, you will now see the rolling stock counts broken into three columns. They are:
Context Note: A platform refers to the specific sections within certain types of railcars that can each carry separate loads. Examples of such would be a well car, or an articulated spine car. They have one Equipment ID, but multiple platforms labelled A, B, C, D, and E. As such, Car Count is essentially counting the equipment ID, and Car/Platform is counting the platforms over the equipment ID in the event they are present.
Map Enhancements: Although the data presented has not changed, to create some cleaner visuals we have updated the map to give different levels of detail depending on the Zoom engaged.
When zoomed out, we summarize data into circles covering larger areas. Example below:
As you zoom in, we disaggregate the data into circles covering more specific geographic areas. As you zoom in further you will see the directional arrows and site-specific details that you are used to seeing. Example below:
Tip: To zoom use your mouse scroll, or the +/- functionality as highlighted by yellow above. (You can still toggle Rail Details, Sites, Trains, and Color map to see different details and layers on the map. To make site-specific searches more apparent, we now highlight filter criteria by applying colours.)
We look forward to your feedback and suggestions in general, or as it relates to these newly released and in-development features.