Project Highlights

Real-time Train Information Enhancements Delivered The GBS Group's software development team, code-named Ninja Team, recently delivered a key enhancement to the TSI Plus real-time Train Status Information platform developed for VIA Rail Canada. The Alerting feature utilizes the TSI Plus platform, so that VIA Rail can deliver more advanced products and services to its customers, especially regarding train schedules, arrivals, departures, and en route information. Features: Status alerting by visual and audio cues and by SMS and e-mail alerts Geo-Fence selector with 4-up viewing Exclusion of train services from the geo-fence view Pre-configured radius views: low, medium, high Administrative controls for access to geo fence features and alert subscriptions per user per fence
Click to read more... Example of Geo-Fence Enhancement to TSI Plus: Status Alerting Visual alerts are provided by color coded banners, each containing information specific to the train service. The colors indicate location in relation to the fence boundary: yellow - the train is within 5km of the boundary; red - the train is within the geo-fence, and blue - the train has exited the geo-fence. There is also a green banner to indicate that no train is within 5km of the fence. Audible alerts are provided by a chime when the train crosses a geo-fence boundary. The chime is configurable allowing the user to enable or disable the sound. SMS and e-mail alerts are sent to users who have subscribed, provided cell phone and email addresses, and have enabled the features on the user interface. SMS messages and e-mails are sent as the train status changes in relation to the geo-fence.
Systems Integration/Concept Design: MSC Watson Class Waste Management Study Military Sealift Command (MSC) required an assessment and recommendations to address the following issues: Oily Waste, Solid Waste equipment, systems and procedures inefficient Systems require operator intervention Necessitates use of expensive disposal services The goal of this study was to recommend several sustainable waste management design options that reduce operator intervention and 20-year ship operating costs. The GBS Group carried out a number of tasks to accomplish the goal, including ship checks, ship class surveys to collect waste generation rates, offload/disposal costs, maintenance records, labor rates, etc., and data analysis to identify inefficiencies in waste management systems and procedures.
Click to read more... The GBS Group also conducted market surveys to provide design options, with Business Case Analysis to improve system and equipment efficiency and reduce operator intervention and ship operating costs. Design options included euipment modifications and replacements. System integration recommendations included: Modifications to the ER oily waste holding tank (OWHT) to use it as a first stage, pre-settling tank to improve oil and water gravity separation prior to processing by the bilge OWS; or the installation of a sludge dewater system A polisher (secondary treatment) be installed on the existing cargo hold (CH) OWS to improve performance Modify the existing incinerator by fitting it with a steam heating coil and insulating the sludge tank to increase operating efficiency
Shipyard Project Support Services Customer: Ensco plc *Challenge:* A mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) sustains damages to hull, legs and spud cans while moving off location; requiring emergency out-of-water dry docking to conduct repairs. *Solution:* GBS provided experienced QA/QC inspection services and technical oversight to ensure compliance with Industry and Regulatory standards during the evaluation and repair.	GBS provided QA/QC support for a MODU that was undergoing major repairs.
Click to read more... The following work was completed by GBS during the repair of the MODU: Conducted an evaluation of damages to hull, spud cans, legs and elevating gear teeth Provided on-site verification of shipyard weld procedures, welder qualifications, and of materials removed and applied Provided visual inspection and dimensional verifications of all affected repair areas Final inspections and approvals Our field staff worked closely with shipyard workforces to maximize productivity, maintain safety, produce positive and predictable results which resulted in the project being completed three days ahead of schedule.

*Situational Awareness Software* *Customer: Navy - NSWCCD-SSES* Challenge: The combat systems officer of the watch (CSOOW) has the overwhelmingly difficult task of maintaining operations during casualty situations that can occur in any of more than 200 compartments on an aircraft carrier. *Solution:* GBS helped NSWCCD-SSES to solve this problem through the development of a software application that helps the user identify information that is critical to the mission.	GBS supported NSWCCD-SSES in the development of situational awareness software
Click to read more... Prior to development, GBS conducted an extensive analysis and design phase with all stakeholders and end-users to develop business cases, work-flow, and effective data presentation. GBS used many software tools to develop the requirements including structured interviews, user surveys, traditional meetings, focus groups, timed usability evaluations, and prototyping. The entire development life cycle followed the CMMi Level 3 assessed Standard Software Process. GBS led the documentation efforts to conform to the Navy’s standards and policies. The product is to undergo acceptance testing in the NSWCCD-SSES lab prior to approval via the Navy’s DIACAP process for shipboard installation and usage.

*Army Watercraft Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)* *Customer: Navy - NSWCCD-SSES* *Challenge:* Ship systems are obsolete due to age of design, but the U.S. Army wants to extend service life for up to an additional 15 years. *Solution:* GBS provided engineering and design support to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), for Army LSV 1 Class and LCU 2000 Class Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP).	GBS supported the Army's Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for the LSV 1 and LCU 2000.
Click to read more... GBS engineers managed the entire SLEP drawing review and signature process and developed the Dock and Sea Trial Test Procedures (DSTP). The DSTP package was used to verify everything from proper installation to intra-system and inter-system operational quality. DSTPs also ensure that all installation work has been accomplished in accordance with the drawings, military specifications and industry standards. For the Army LCU 2000 Class SLEP, GBS is the lead design agent for all work items. This includes development of all installation drawings as well as management of all subcontractor tasking. Alterations for the LCU SLEP program included the following work items: new generator sets with associated power distribution management, new bow thruster driver and associated piping, engine monitoring systems, and multiple piping system replacements.

Program and Project Management Support Customer: Missile Defense Agency / through contract with The Boeing Company Challenge: Convert a Moss CS-50 bare deck semi-submersible rig to a self-propelled offshore vessel ready to accept the 8,000-ton load radar that was constructed at a separate facility in Corpus Christi, TX in only 15 months from first cutting of steel to the start of sea trials. Solution: GBS provided marine engineering management and life cycle support to Boeing for the Sea Based X-Band (SBX) radar platform.	GBS has provided engineering support for the Sea Based X-Band (SBX) radar platform since its inception.
Click to read more... GBS project managers and engineers assisted with construction and marine engineering management support for extended SBX shipyard periods, program and business management activities, SBX system modification support, and shipyard selection support. The project speed and efficiency were unprecedented for a semi of this scale and complexity.

“It’s About the Passenger” Wireless System Deployment to Enable Remote Health Monitoring – MEAP™ Customer: Amtrak Challenge: Rolling Stock equipment consists of on-board sensors and computers that record real-time faults, often trapped or underutilized. The information available is powerful to prevent passenger disruption. Solution: GBS designs and installs wireless solutions that automate the extraction and transmission of data.	GBS has equipped electric locomotives operating along the Northeast Corridor with GPS-equipped wireless systems, providing real-time train location and health monitoring.
Click to read more... The data is available in real-time via a web portal for analysis and trending. GBS provides prognostics, 24/7 analysis, on-site troubleshooting with our rolling stock engineers. GBS customizes the software, GPS functions, and diagnostics that allows over 2,600 faults to be studied by location, locomotive speed, time of day, frequency, etc. Save money -- predict and prevent failure with intelligence and GBS engineers who know the machinery.

Deploy Cellular Wi-Fi on Amtrak’s Acela Trains Customer: Amtrak Challenge: Provide scalable Wi-Fi Internet access to customers aboard a high speed train operating in the United States Northeast Corridor Solution: GBS performed a technology analysis, pitting capabilities and experience of technology providers against Amtrak’s functional requirements. Click to read more... GBS recommended Nomad Digital, Ltd. core technology. GBS led the systems integration effort and continues providing O&M services with Nomad today from Boston to Washington, D.C.	As an end-to-end systems integrator, GBS conducted an analysis of multiple solutions and served as prime contractor to deploy Amtrak’s first Wi-Fi roll-out.

Mobile App for Power System Curtailment Programs Customer: Verizon Challenge: Verizon needed a remote control capability to monitor its power systems and be able to efficiently run their Curtailment programs, where they request that companies, which are compensated for participating, switch to backup power on their buildings to curtail power demand in an effort to avert power grid brown-outs. Solution: GBS is providing this remote control monitoring as a subcontractor to Marine Interface based in East Northport on New York's Long Island.	GBS develops a mobile application for Verizon to monitor power systems, like this building power control panel above and the battery plant below.
Click to read more... Working with Marine Interface that has installed Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) control modules in Verizon central offices, The GBS Group developed the Web and mobile interfaces to allow the control of backup generators in the event of a curtailment request. Verizon's building backup generator is seen at left and the new power control panel show at the right.

Aging Fleet Condition Assessment Needed Before Extensive Overhaul Customer: Maryland Transit Authority & Booz \| Allen \| Hamilton *Challenge:* Maryland Transity Authority's (MTA) HHP-8 locomotives are approaching their 10-year service in 2012, which means each unit will undergo an extensive overhaul. In order to plan for the overhaul, The GBS Group conducted a Locomotive Condition Assessment, which focused on the process to develop a comprehensive overhaul specification. Soultion: Nearly 600 locomotive components were addressed and their respective recommendations were placed into a Recommendation Matrix. Recommendations include performing modifications, design change investigations, inspections, replacement of internal components, removal of obsolete equipment or no action required for overhaul. The majority of the recommendations require some type of evidence of need prior to complete component replacement. Components reaching their end of life (age limit) were recommended to be replaced.
Click to read more... To aid in determining the overhaul recommendation, The GBS Group developed a Logic Tree, which was used as the basis for all overhaul requirements (recommendations). The Locomotive Condition Assessment phase work included the following: Conducting Initial Inventory of MARC HHP-8s Reviewing Maintenance Databases Collecting Locomotive Downloads Gathering and Reviewing Locomotive Component Spare information Reviewing Existing PM Tasks/ Procedures and OEM Recommendations for Overhaul Reviewing Current Amtrak Overhaul Work Packages Reviewing FRA Correspondence and Documentation Reviewing Manuals and Schematics for Revision Changes By reviewing and assessing the information above, overhaul recommendations were made on a system, subsystem and component levels. These recommendations were also used to assist in the second phase of work – Overhaul Specification Development.

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Project Highlights

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