As part of EMD's drive toward Environmental Excellence, we have developed the EMD Automatic Engine Start/Stop System ( nickname 'Automatic Engine Start System' or 'Auto Start'). This system, which can be applied to all EMD locomotives equipped with the EM2000 locomotive control system, automatically monitors the locomotive during idle operation and will safely stop and re-start the diesel engine to conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions and noise.

Intelligent Control

The EMD Automatic Engine Start/Stop System is fully integrated with the EM2000 control system and monitors engine and locomotive conditions including the following:

Safe Control

Designed with full compliance of AAR standard S-5502, the system uses audible and visual alerts to ensure a safe working environment.

• When the system is active with the engine shut down, a brief audible alarm (every 30 seconds, or as established per customer specification) will alert personnel in the area that the diesel engine may restart automatically.
• Before the diesel engine restarts, a loud audible alarm for 30 seconds will alert personnel in the area of the impending engine start.
• Visual indicators in the locomotive, including crew messages and/or indicator lights, will complement the audible alarms.
• The system can be locked-out for safe maintenance operations and has “fail-safe” defaults.

Benefits of an Integrated System

Unlike stand alone systems, EMD’s Automatic Engine Start / Stop System is fully integrated with the EM2000 control system. This gives the following benefits:

• Ease of Use: Through clearly displayed messages to the crew, the system prompts users during setup and operation
• Fault Tolerance: The system reacts intelligently to failed sensors or other faults
• Fault Archive: Diagnostic information is captured during any fault for ease of trouble-shooting

If equipped with optional equipment, the locomotives can communicate with EMD’s Locomotive Management Center to relay locomotive health information and ensure proper system operation for maximum emissions reduction.

Emissions Reductions

Locomotives spend much of their time in idle. By reducing the time the locomotives spend in idle with their engines running, exhaust emissions can be reduced.

• For mainline locomotives, idle operation is responsible for approximately 3% of total exhaust emissions. These emissions can be reduced by 50% or more!  
• For switcher locomotives, idle operation is responsible for approximately 14% of total exhaust emissions. Again, these emissions can be reduced by 50% or more!

Fuel Savings

Locomotives spend much of their time in idle – typically more than 3600 hours per year. By reducing the time the engine runs during idle an incredible amount of fuel can be saved.

3600 hours x 50% (assumed reduction in idle time) =
1800 hours of idle operation eliminated

1800 hours x 3 to 4 gallons of fuel per hour burned in idle =
5400 to 7200 gallons of fuel saved per year

This fuel savings is per year per locomotive. When applied to an entire fleet of locomotives, the Automatic Engine Start/Stop System can lead to substantial reductions in operating costs.