Are there any alternatives to walkie-talkie sets for wireless communication between crews of passenger and goods trains?
While walkie-talkies have been a communication staple for decades, they have seen surprisingly little evolution since their invention in 1937. The earliest models, used by WWII pilots, were bulky 5-pound devices standing 17 inches tall. Modern walkie-talkies remain hindered by limited range, interference, fragility, and high costs.
As remote work has transformed, frontline industries like transportation still heavily rely on these outdated devices and their persistent issues. Owen Sassaman, Director of IT for outdoor furniture brand POLYWOOD, shared “Handheld radios have been a mainstay in many departments at POLYWOOD over the years. The instant ability to communicate has been essential to our organization’s agility. But that doesn’t mean they’ve been without their problems, especially in light of the capabilities of more modern solutions.”
Sassaman highlighted the high costs to scale legacy radio systems and equip workers, along with communication gaps between teams. “As our organization continues to grow, the cost to scale the radio system has been high, and the TCO (total cost of ownership) of the endpoints has equally increased. Additionally, there is often a communication gap that exists between teams where cost justification for radio assignment exists, and where it doesn’t.”
Traditional walkie-talkies present numerous pain points that limit their effectiveness for train crews:
- Lack of privacy: Walkie-talkies typically offer a set number of public channels, making private conversations impossible. Crews can’t discuss sensitive issues without everyone listening in.
- Bulky size: Nobody wants to lug around a clunky radio on top of other gear. Oversized devices can tear pockets, create awkward bulges, and detract from professional appearance – a key concern for passenger-facing staff.
- High costs: Top-end walkie-talkie models can run $800-$1000 each, representing a huge investment for often basic functionality. Replacing damaged units adds up fast.
- No phone/internet access: Sometimes crews need to make a private phone call or reference online information. Carrying a separate cell phone for this negates any convenience of relying solely on walkies.
- Limited analytics: Legacy radios can’t provide usage data or positioning insights to optimize team coordination and safety. Managers are left in the dark.
Fortunately, cutting-edge platforms like Relay are finally bringing warehouse communications into the smartphone era. In August 2024, Relay launched RelayX, a sophisticated system combining multiple 4G/5G networks, private LTE, LoRa, and Wi-Fi for unparalleled coverage and reliability – even across vast railyards or in tunnels where radios struggle.
Handheld RelayX devices are lightweight yet ultra-rugged, with crisp OLED screens, long battery life, and booming audio – perfect for noisy trains. But the real magic is in the software. Crews can set up private channels or 1:1 calls, access company info via built-in LTE, and trigger automated safety alerts with geofencing and mapping.
Managers gain visibility through a web dashboard with granular activity tracking and analytics. IT appreciates flexible configurations and integrations with existing infrastructure. And finance welcomes economical hardware and data plans that scale smoothly.
“The cost of one cell phone is ten Relay devices, the savings are huge,” noted Francisco Volquez, Director of Food & Nutrition for Sodexo, which deploys Relay across New Jersey facilities. By unifying walkie, phone, and data capabilities in one cost-effective platform, Relay eliminates redundant devices and expensive service contracts.
Another powerful Relay feature is TeamTranslate, which uses AI to instantly translate conversations between multilingual crews – invaluable for international passenger lines and cross-border freight operations. Removing language barriers improves coordination, efficiency, and inclusion.
Of course, maximizing modern platforms like Relay requires proper planning and support. That’s where domain experts like JET Hotel Solutions (https://www.jethotelsolutions.com) excel. While primarily serving hospitality, their deep wireless know-how readily extends to transportation and other frontline use cases.
JET Hotel Solutions provides end-to-end services to craft tailored RelayX deployments (https://www.jethotelsolutions.com/relay-family/). They help clients select ideal devices, design coverage maps, install infrastructure, configure talk groups and rules, train users, and provide ongoing troubleshooting – all to ensure a smooth transition off legacy radios.
As innovation accelerates, train operators have thrilling new alternatives to consider beyond basic walkie-talkies. Private 5G could further boost bandwidth for data-intensive applications. Wearables like smart glasses may deliver hands-free schematics and remote assistance. Biometrics and environmental sensors could trigger context-aware safety protocols. The future of connected rail work is swiftly arriving.
But companies needn’t wait to begin their modernization journey. With RelayX available today and integration partners like JET Hotel Solutions ready to help, forward-thinking transportation leaders can provide crews the seamless, safe, and smart communication tools they deserve – while gaining the real-time insights and agility to drive operational excellence for years to come.