Developed 3D Lidar Point-Plot Measuring System
Uses DirectX (SharpDX) to display a Lidar mapping of Railroad Track, Track Bed, and surrounding vegetation and structures. This shows the 'Clearance' between the trains and surrounding trees, signals, bridges, and other structures. Mapped volumetric representations of Trains into the 3D Viewport. Provided playback, which in effect looks like the train is travelling through the 3D map.
- Written in WPF and .Net 4.6.
- Based on user input (mouse and keyboard), used 3D objects and math to determine what the user intends to measure, and snaps to those points
- Created algorythms for finding nearest Lidar point/line data to the Ray starting at 3D Camera and going through the cursor point
- Single or multiple vector measurements can be made between Lidar points in the viewport
- Provided hot keys to make specifically Vertical, Lateral, and Longitudinal measurements
- Showed real-time what the measurement would be
- Included random-color markers, keyed to elements in a slide-out control to display all of the measurements
- Provided robust controls for edit, Unit of Measure selection, and record/playback of measurements along with Lidar data
- Developed RESTful service for pulling Lidar data from Hive database
- Developed data cache to preload clearance data
Designed and Developed ‘Application Content Provider’ System
This system replaces an off the shelf Software Distribution product. This allowed CSX to save substantial yearly licensing fees. It also works better and supports IPV6. The previous product could not recover from database outages, and technical support was limited and expensive.
- Led small team (2 developers and a tester) to develop this system
- This system provides application files and content to distributed applications.
- Web Services provide Administration, Upload, and Download services for documents, images, and application Zip files.
- Integrated with Visual Studio to immediately create and push Release Candidate zip files to ACP repository.
- Allows for recovery and partial file download if connection is lost.
- Changes in files are efficiently detected using MD5 hash.
- Provides for Application Payloads to be tagged with target .Net and OS versions.
- Automatically creates Delta zip files for faster migration from previous versions.
- Designed Oracle schema to store file versions, statistics, and administrative information.
- Local Windows Service coordinates update of application using WCF Named Pipes.
- ACP will allow for implementation of Microsoft Direct Access Connect on disconnected devices (existing 3rd party software distribution product does not work with IPV6)
Designed and Developed ‘Division Track Works-Mobile’ Tablet Application
This application allows Team Foremen to report work performed during Track Maintenance while still onsite. It displays a Track schematic with Milepost indicators, and includes GPS locating real-time. The Work Orders are displayed on the schematic and provide for Time reporting and equipment/supply measurements to be recorded.
- Led small team (3 developers and 2 testers)
- As CSX is constrained to Windows 7 OS, created custom containers to provide tablet-friendly user experience.
- Developed custom controls that work well on small screens with a Touch interface.
- Designed and developed extensible framework to provide drawings of Track structures.
- This framework can be ‘plugged’ into any .NET container (ASP.NET, Windows Forms, etc).
- Provided dynamic notification of proximity to gps-tagged assets in a manner that adheres to CSX’ safety guidelines for motor vehicles
Designed and Developed Web Services Interface to Rail Service Failure System
This integration saves the Roadmaster from having to duplicate entry of work that was performed after hours during repair of critical Broken Rail defects.When a Rail Break is detected by electrical signal loss, TCIS trouble tickets are generated and a Roadmaster is dispatched to correct the issue (frequently late at night). After the problem is corrected, the Roadmaster will call in the correction to TCIS technicians. Integrating TCIS with the RSF system allows the details collected by the help desk to be propagated to the RSF system for tracking the correction, reporting that the Rail was repaired and possible welded, and tracking if Rail was added.
- Provides means to create RSF and Track Disturbance report when TCIS service ticket is closed.
- Provides detailed feedback to TCIS in case input is Invalid.
- RSF and Track Disturbance are then managed by existing Engineering Applications.
Designed and Developed Web Services Interface to facilitate FRA Geometry and Vehicle Track Interface Exceptions integration with Engineering Applications
This integration increases chances of finding Track problems before derailments can occur by including FRA and Third Party vehicle track interaction defects in the Engineering Applications database. The FRA has their own Geometry testing equipment, and another Third Party tests CSX track with acceleration/force detection equipment. CSX used to get emails with details of these issues in a spreadsheet. Notification to field personnel had to be handled via email or telephone. Now the Integrated Track Inspection System displays these exceptions and provides for correction reporting.
- Allows blocks of records to be passed for each Web Service call.
- Returns detailed status per record, including what data caused problems.
- Uses existing Engineering Applications Plug-Ins to eliminate duplicated code.
- Sends Email status response to both Vendor and CSX Support personnel.
Designed and Developed extensible 'Graph View' architecture
This provides Track View schematic drawings that include Turnouts relative to Tracks, Siding and Yard Track, and allows for plugging in other application specific drawings. It also shows mileposts and segment sizes.
- First version shows Track Inspections, Rail Defects, Track Disturbances, Geometry Exceptions, and FRA Defects in the Integrated Track Inspections system.
- Expanded to also show Work Items in the Division Track Works - Mobile tablet application.
- Proof of Concept was developed in three days for Track Charts Analysis and Forecasting that shows Rail Profile, Rail Weight, and Track Structure-Capital Requests.
Developed 'Sync Scripts' to facilitate SAP Mobilink synchronization
This allows the application to work with a database even when the laptop or tablet is at a remote location with no WiFi or cellular service. The application can use software components that provide full functionality. Software can be developed faster and at a lower cost.
- Client-side SqlAnywhere database is used on disconnected laptops and tablets
- When remote device is connected to the CSX network, the data stored in SqlAnywhere is synchronized to Oracle using SAP Mobilink
- Sync Scripts provide Upload Insert, Upload Update, Delete, and Download logic
- Sync scripts also provide Conflict Resolution
- Integration with highly specialized Web Services is achieved using Oracle functions called from within the sync scripts. This allows for use of existing C# DLL's
Designed and Developed new Rail Defects System
This system includes Sperry Detected Rail defects and Rail Service Failures (RSF). Rail Defects cause a significant percentage of derailments, and so their track and prompt repair greatly increase safety and save a significant amount of money for the railroad. A visual representation shows what Remedial Actions are required, and the order in which they should be done. Color coding indicates the priority for each of the actions. The Remedial Action schedules are optimized to include only what actually needs to be done based on defect Severity, Location, and Class of Track. Backend services continually update the Rail Defects when changes occur in Slow Order status and Track Tonnage.
- Designed Database schema to store Remedial Action templates and actual Remedial Action Schedules specific to each Rail Defect
- Designed and Developed DLL that contains all Rail Defects logic and is available to Applications, Web Services, and Oracle procedures
- Designed and Developed user interface that shows a simple representation of what needs to be done to remediate the Defect. This includes Due dates for the Remedial Actions
- User Interface allows for bypassing Slow Order remedial actions when higher level actions are taken (such as Corrective Action).
- Integrated Track Inspection System includes audible GPS guidance directly to where the Rail Defect is located
Enhanced ‘Integrated Track Inspections’ Application
ITIS provides all of the tools Track Inspectors need to do their job. It includes Inspection Schedules with reminders and notifications. It includes Rail Defects and Track Disturbances. Engineering Standards documents can be viewed directly within the application. It even provides GPS guidance with audible alerts so Track Inspectors can concentrate on safely highrailing to the location of the defects.
- Developed C# form that calculates Rail Expansion based on temperature changes and track construction.
- Enhanced GPS functionality to track asset location in relation to high-rail vehicle position, speed, and direction.
- Migrated Track Inspections application to Citrix environment.
- Developed ASP Web Service to upload log files from Citrix-based Track Inspections application to server.
- Developed mechanism that logs XML data locally on disconnected laptop and then uploads data to ASP Web Service. Logs are then persisted in Oracle.
- Worked in agile SCRUM environment to design, develop, test, and implement a number of releases.
Maintained and Enhanced ‘Onboard Reporting System’ Application (OBRS)
OBRS allows the Conductor to report movements and placements of Rail Cars within the Yards. The rail cars are listed as they are organized on the Train, which facilitates correct reporting of where rail cars are located.
- Added a number of enhancements to the OBRS Java Application.
- Fixed defects and expanded functionality in the C++ Process Manager.
Participated in team effort to redesign NurseCall system to be an open system built on the Microsoft .NET Framework
The new Nurse Call system includes Floor Plan based layouts that show movements of nursing staff to different rooms. It provides an elegant look and feel that organizes information in a way that can be quickly viewed and assessed by extremely busy nurses, even when they are dealing with emergencies.
- Helped in design of Architecture, in which pluggable components are used to implement different functional needs. Internal communications are handled using XML messages on MSMQ.
- Developed C# Smart Client Call Answer Terminal (CAT) using Visual Studio .NET to provide rich UI controls while at the same time allowing easy install and upgrade processes for large hospitals that may have up to 30 CAT clients.
- Created .NET Setup projects to install the Smart Clients and services.
- Developed pluggable adapters to translate transactions from legacy NurseCall system to new .NET NurseCall system. These adapters handle all legacy logic so that the new .NET NurseCall system is free to be developed using cutting edge design patterns and technology.
- Developed portions of pluggable adapters to facilitate communication and collaboration between 3rd party personnel and equipment tracking system and .NET NurseCall system. This allows any tracking system to post location information into the .NET NurseCall system.
Designed and developed interface between NurseCall and Telephony systems.
This allowed communications between busy, mobile nursing staff and patients at a time before cellular phones were common. Calls could be initiated by simply pressing the Nurse Call button, without having to dial phone numbers.
- Allows phone calls to be placed between proprietary NurseCall hardware and any telephone, including wireless SpectraLink phones.
- Audio is switched using H.100 and/or MVIP Telephony boards.
- A Java service is used to communicate with the SpectraLink system over TCP/IP or RS232.
- A simple interface was developed to allow patient calls to be viewed on wireless telephones that have an LCD display. The user can interact with the NurseCall through this interface to send requests and to perform other tasks.
