The FP5-TRANS4M-R steering committee, part of the European DAC Delivery Programme, selected the e-coupler developed by German company Voith to be “the basis for interface standardization of all digital automatic couplers (DAC)”. The e-coupler is the DAC component that will enable the power supply and data transmission throughout the freight train.
According to Voith, their coupler can be retrofitted “with just two screws”, making it low-wear and easy to maintain. Throughout a four-month phase, the e-coupler was tested in FP5-TRANS4M-R, the DAC4EU train and the Voith’s test benches. One of the features of this coupler is that the mechanical and electrical coupling components remain separate. This allows the e-coupler to always be protected at impact speeds of up to 12 km\h.
One of many necessary steps
Selecting an e-coupler is just one of the many steps necessary to ensure a continent-wide deployment of DAC. For example, the various industry players are urging the project leaders to create a comprehensive Cost-Benefit Analysis for the DAC migration of locomotives, which is still missing. This leads to uncertainties concerning the real costs of the whole project which, according to some, have been largely underestimated. Another key issue remains funding, with various industry players saying that it should come from the European Union and not be a burden for companies to bear.