Around The Railroad

Harriman Renovations Modernize UP Dispatching

February 6, 2008 | 09:30 a.m. CST

Providing around-the-clock network support, managing traffic and coordinating interchanges systemwide, the heart of Union Pacific's dispatching is in the final stages of a complete modernization.

The Harriman Dispatching Center was originally constructed in 1891 as a freight depot. It wasn't until 1988 that the building was renovated to become the nation's first centralized dispatching center, housing more than 700 UP employees.

Now, 20 years later, a recent upgrade in the Computer Aided Dispatching System (CAD) has lead to a renovation, accommodating additional employees in more efficient work groupings. All dispatchers and corridor management located in Omaha will be housed in the first-level, 25,750-square-foot "bunker."

"HDC's remodel provides a highly specialized work environment for our dispatchers," said Steve Barkley, vice president-Harriman Dispatching Center and Network Operations. "It allows us to safely and efficiently monitor our comprehensive network of track and trains, while integrating the newest tracking and dispatch technologies."

Bunker renovations include both the dispatching floor and mezzanine-level workstations where support staff is located. New features include:

•  Acoustical panels and ceiling absorbing 95 percent of sound, controlling ambient noise.
• Ten 8- by 27-foot video walls replacing a 20-year-old rear projection screen, displaying real-time monitoring of the entire railroad, weather and operations updates, as well as national and world news – information that is also displayed at each dispatcher console.
• 143 work stations seating 105 employees on the main dispatching floor and 38 managerial employees on the mezzanine level.
• New glass conference room equipped with nine flip-up LCD panels, wireless keyboards, video screen and 52-inch, wall-mounted LCD screen.
• Central vacuum system reducing noise when cleaning.
• New visitors gallery with 12 LCD flat screen displays for custom video presentation in full surround sound.

Network support employees will begin moving into their new workstations on Feb. 6, and train dispatchers will begin moving on Feb. 8. All moves will be completed by mid-March.

Look for an article on Feb. 8 highlighting the first train to be dispatched from the newly renovated center, as well as another article about the visitors gallery.