Date: July 15, 2004

Presenter: Mark Tromble

Affiliation: Union Pacific Railroad - Union Pacific website

The guest speaker for this meeting was Mark Tromble, Project Engineer for Union Pacific Railroad. Mr. Tromble manages the Precision Measurement Vehicle (PMV) team for UP. The PMV is a mobile surveyor's technology wonder on wheels. Take one Suburban SUV, add a remote control survey laser to the front bumper, add a precision Ground Positioning System, videos, radios, computers and a host of other hi-tech gear - and you have a survey system that can take precise measurement while rolling down a railroad track. We were fortunate to have one of the vehicles - available for display - at the ITC meeting.

UP has three PMV's that are constantly being used to collect survey data of railroad properties and rights-of-way. A simulation program has been developed to catalog the measurement data and represent it in a meaningful manner. The simulation program is from the perspective of riding down the railroad tracks and seeing bridges, roads and buildings along the tracks. The information is used by the railroad for inventory of properties, construction, planning and a number of related purposes.

The PMV is an innovative use of technology by one of Omaha's leading companies. The willingness of the staff to take their time to display the vehicle to the ITC is a testament to the community minded spirit of the company. Please make an effort to show your support by attending the meeting or forwarding the information to interested colleagues.

Click HERE to view the PMV.