The implementation of the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC) continues to be one of the spotlight for the European rail freight industry. The Association of European Railway Rolling Stock Lessors (AERRL) is now urging the parties involved to implement a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) specifically for DAC implementation on locomotives. “Without a tailored CBA for locomotives, we risk passing on implementation costs to consumers”, the association underlined.
If, on the one hand, there seem to be enough studies concerning the DAC implementation on rail freight wagons, the story is vastly different for locomotives. AERRL claims that the lack of an extensive Cost-Benefit Analysis specifically for locomotives poses quite the threat, as the DAC plan for them differs significantly from the one for wagons. “This is why AERRL would like to propose that a complete CBA be developed focusing on the peculiarities of locomotives”, the association underlined.
Moreover, the association is saying that the CBA for locomotives should first be preceded by a thorough risk analysis. One of the risks mentioned by AERRL is that wagons could be equipped with DAC but the locomotives may not be ready on time. A similar issue was recently raised by various associations from Central and Eastern European countries, who are pushing for DAC deployment on locomotives to be prioritised. For this, EARRL is suggesting the creation of a Task Force for this specific initiative. Other risks revolve around the fact that, for some locomotive, DAC migration will simply be impossible due to weight restrictions and there is a lack of standardisation when it comes to older locomotives.
Actual costs remain a mystery
Another issue brough up by AERRL concerns available financial resources. “The cost of integration has been underestimated”, they specified, stating that rolling stock keepers do not feel supported enough. For example, the association claimed that companies will already incur in significant expenses when it comes to the deployment of ERTMS. Thus, public financial aid for the implementation of DAC is considered vital. “At the current state, DAC will only make financial sense after full ERTMS implementation”, the AERRL added.
Moreover, the actual DAC implementation costs continue to remain somewhat of a mystery, especially when it comes to the digital/electric part. Estimation for an automatic coupler, thus without the data connection, are set at 5,000 euros, but a proper estimation for DAC is not yet available. Many of the industry players involved in DAC initiatives often claim that setting a price is a complicated task. However, according to the Central and Eastern European associations, the whole implementation process could cost between 40,000 and 45,000 euros per item.