Mi-Jack Products® recently collaborated with Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) on implementing an award-winning Position Detection System (PDS) to increase safety and efficiency in their rail operations.
This solution earned the 2026 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award for the “People & Equipment Interface” category, highlighting its innovative approach to improving safety in complex intermodal environments.
The Challenge: Managing Safety in a Complex Operating Environment
LBCT operates one of North America’s largest and most productive on-dock rails, with an annual capacity of over 1.2 million TEUs. Like many large port and rail terminals, LBCT faced the challenge of maintaining a safe operating environment without sacrificing productivity.
Before the Mi-Star® PDS, LBCT’s cranes had limited visibility into the location of ground vehicles operating within the railyard. To mitigate potential safety risks, access for ground vehicles and personnel had to be restricted while cranes were operating—limiting operational flexibility and efficiency.
The Solution: Visibility with the Mi-Star Position Detection System
With Mi-Star technology, cranes now have the visibility to see the other vehicles being used in the rail yard., allowing:
- Real-time MHE tracking and automated crane response based on precise equipment positioning
- The cranes also allowed for a reduced roadway footprint in dense North Manhattan, minimizing traffic disruption by narrowing closures from four lanes to two. Active collision prevention through dynamically enforced exclusion zones, eliminating crane–vehicle interaction and overhead load exposure
- Controlled spreader motion during train passage, enforcing protected rail corridors and preventing overhead loads from travelling above locomotive cabins
- Integrated operator awareness through real-time digital twin visualization with in-vehicle LED proximity feedback
Matt Hunnicut, Chief Information Officer of LBCT, and Mark Tumlinson, Senior Asset Optimization Manager of LBCT, speak on how the implementation of Mi-Star has impacted their safety operations.
Customer Perspective: Partnering with Mi-Jack
Implementing a system that meets LBCT’s unique operational requirements demanded close collaboration between the two teams.
Hear from Matt Hunnicut, Chief Information Officer of LBCT, on his experience working with the Mi-Jack team when implementing the Mi-Star PDS system for LBCT’s operations.
“Every operation has its own unique challenges, and this project was no different. Working closely with the LBCT team allowed us to understand their specific needs and develop a solution that seamlessly integrated into their daily rail operations.”
– Jaime Reyes
Director of Technology Sales and Rentals at Mi-Jack
Recognition for Innovation in Safety
LBCT’s Overhead Load Protection System, developed in collaboration with Mi-Jack, received the 2026 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award in the “People & Equipment Interface” category.
The system was recognized as an example of engineering- led risk elimination. By preventing cranes from passing over ground personnel, it helps eliminate the risk of falling object strikes, a longstanding hazard in intermodal environments. Real-time tracking of people and vehicles further enhances situational awareness while supporting operational efficiency.
Mark Tumlinson of LBCT discusses how the Mi-Star system helped earn the 2026 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award.
Increase Operational Safety: Mi-Star Position Detecting System
LBCT and Mi-Jack shared a clear objective: leverage technology to strengthen safety while enabling more efficient rail operations. Through collaboration, planning, and a dedicated implementation process, Mi-Star was configured to address the unique requirements of LBCT’s rail environment.
Discover how Mi-Jack’s Mi-Star technology can help your operation improve asset visibility while supporting safer, more efficient workflows: https://mi-jack.com/mi-star/
