A two-year pilot project regarding Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) is starting in Sweden, aiming to test the device’s resistance under harsh weather conditions. The test train will be loaded with SSAB’s steel and will run 1,000 kilometres between the company’s mill in Luleå to its production site in Borlänge.
The initiatives involved the Swedish infrastructure manager Trafikveket, state-owned operator Green Cargo, the Lindholmen Science Park, Svensk Maskinprovning and DAC coupler manufacturers Voith and Dellner. Other than testing DAC under extremely cold temperatures, these trials will also assess its performance with heavy cargo, as the train will weigh 3,800 tonnes.
The tests will initially only include Voith and Dellner’s couplers, with the ones from Knorr-Bremse and Wabtec being implemented at a later stage. “The fact that we start this demo train with ‘only’ Dellner and Voith, is more a timing issue and couplers from the other suppliers will be mounted on the steel train during the project”, a representative from Lindholmen Science Park specified.
Digital Automatic Coupling
The DAC project remains a very relevant topic regarding European rail freight. With DAC, freight wagons could be coupled together automatically, speeding up operations and increasing safety, but would also create a digital connection throughout the train. This digital connection would allow for further automation of processes including automated brake tests.
Supporters of the initiative highlight the benefits automation and digitalisation can bring to the industry as a whole. Detractors of DAC, on the other hand, underline the uncertainties surrounding funding, financial benefits and the concreteness of the Digital component. Currently, Europe plans a large-scale deployment of DAC for 2030, but many view this timeline as very ambitious to say the least.