Railway Technical Services AssociationRailcar Technical Services Association (RTSA)

RTSA (formerly MARTS) is the organization dedicated to the freight car maintenance professional. Our mission is to provide a value-added forum for sharing railcar customer maintenance needs through new technology, practical experience and best practices with the purpose of improving profitability.  RTSA provides its members with a solid knowledge and understanding of railcar maintenance.

This year’s program features important sessions that cover regulatory modernization, FRA car owner auditing, and more.

MxV Research Review – including Bearings and Coupler Securement Machine Vision

DATE: October 12 | 10:30AM
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AAR Strategic Research Initiative – Evaluation of the Inclusion of Turnout Negotiation in M-976 Requirements

DATE: October 12 | 10:30AM
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Draft System Evaluations

DATE: October 12 | 11:30AM
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AAR Technical Services – Technical Committee Update on Initiatives to Reduce LORFs

DATE: October 12 | 11:30AM
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Updates on Regulatory Modernization

DATE: October 12 | 1:45PM
DESCRIPTION: Please join us as we provide an update on the industry’s efforts as we move to Regulatory Modernization. The continued focus on modernizing the current regulation is supported by increased digital technology and the carrier’s ability to electronically identify when and inspection took place, where the inspection was performed, and who conducted the inspection. Technology Driven Train Inspection (TDTI) is taking artificial intelligence to another level with machine learning. The consistent inspection practices of the machine vision detectors, combined with other wayside technology is helping to improve the efficiency and reliability of railroad rolling stock. What does this mean for the industry? Efficiency, reliability, and potentially, shortened time to market.

Integrating Wayside Data into Operations

DATE: October 12 | 3:00PM
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Surviving an FRA Car Owner Audit

DATE: October 13 | 8:30AM
DESCRIPTION: Federal regulations require car owners to develop a schedule maintenance program (“Qualification Program”) for the tank and its components based on a reliability life-data analysis of collected maintenance data and shop surveillance. The program must identify where to inspect, how to inspect, and what is acceptable. The overall goal is to provide detailed work instructions to maintenance facility employees to help ensure that the work conforms to the federal regulations, industry standards, and car owner requirements; thereby reducing the potential for a non-accidental releases of product from the tank. This workshop explores the federal investigation process of evaluating a car owner’s maintenance program.

Coating Composition and Environmental Sustainability

DATE: October 13 | 9:45AM
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