A consortium is testing the use of digital automatic coupling (DAC) on freight cars, an initiative meant to increase hinterland connectivity and efficiency.
Accordingly, the consortium led by Deutsche Bahn includes five other companies: the Swiss and Austrian rail freight companies SBB Cargo and Rail Cargo Austria, along with wagon keepers Ermewa, GATX Rail Europe and VTG.
The project aims to demonstrate, test and obtain regulatory approval for digital automatic coupling (DAC) in rail freight transport, will run from July 2020 to December 2022.
It is stated that the technology will automatically connect freight cars and their lines for power, data and compressed air, without any need for physical work.
The pilot project has been launched with a view to Europe-wide implementation in the future.
Also, it is noted that the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure will continue to support the introduction of DAC, and we have commissioned the DAC demonstrator project to this end.
In the first step, 12 freight and tank cars from DB Cargo, VTG and GATX will be equipped with prototype couplers from four different manufacturers.
This will allow DAC to be tested in daily operations in a variety of areas, including at marshaling yards. The goal is to prepare the process of selecting one type of coupler to introduce throughout Europe.
