Local startup pitches solar sensor network to monitor trains; council authorizes pilot

The Streator City Council authorized Iron Circuit LLC to install poles and sensor equipment along East Twelfth Street to monitor rail traffic after a presentation describing a solar-powered sensor intended to measure train speed, length and crossing-blocking duration.

Jason Bartle, who described his prior work with regional incubator companies, told the council the device would be solar-powered, use sensors pointed across tracks, and send data to the cloud for analytics so routing systems and emergency services can predict when crossings will be blocked. "There's a real opportunity to save lives," Bartle said during his presentation.

Bartle described the driver: longer trains and more frequent long blockages challenge ambulance and EMS routing. He said the devices would initially be set up to read one direction and that the program could add sensors at additional positions to improve time, speed and length estimates. He also described technical challenges related to battery operation in cold weather and the need to separate true train readings from transient signals.

Council members expressed support for innovation and local business development; several council members noted prior incubator successes and encouraged the pilot. The council moved to authorize the installations; the motion passed on a recorded roll call.

Why it matters: The pilot aims to provide near-real-time data about rail crossings that local emergency responders have said can delay ambulances when long freight trains block intersections. If data-sharing and analytics work as described, routing systems and dispatchers in Streator and neighboring jurisdictions could use the information to redirect responses or predict delays.

Key technical and operational points recorded in the meeting: - The device is solar-powered and includes a sensor pointed across tracks to measure presence, speed and length. - Initial installations will read one direction; additional sensors could be added to capture trains approaching from both directions and refine analytics. - Bartle said battery performance in cold weather and signal filtering (to distinguish trains from other objects) are active engineering challenges.

Council action: Motion to authorize Iron Circuit LLC to install poles and sensor equipment along East Twelfth Street. Moved by Dave Connor; seconded by Tim Geary. Roll call: all present voted aye.

Ending: The council authorized a pilot installation; staff follow-up on permits, equipment placement and any rights-of-way or utility coordination was expected before field installation.