Wireless and mobile computing in train maintenance and diagnosis

In 1995 Daimler-Benz Research and Technology (Germany), its US subsidiary Adtranz, and Carnegie Mellon University entered into a research agreement to develop system prototypes of a next-generation train maintenance and diagnostic system. Adtranz is a manufacturer of People Movers such as are seen at airports throughout the world and also a major manufacturer of rail car systems for mass transit systems like the New York City subway. The paper focuses on the mobile information and communication aspects, discusses the working prototype features, research results, performance, obstacles overcome, and future work.