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The Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) makes rail freight transport in Europe simpler and faster. It speeds up handling, operations, and circulation – ultimately allowing freight trains to roll faster. By 2030, around 500,000 freight cars need to be equipped with the DAC across Europe. The retrofitting will take place during ongoing operations.
(Berlin) To achieve this, Deutsche Bahn is relying not only on retrofitting in its own workshops but also on the installation of the DAC in pop-up workshops. With the help of these mobile workshop tents, freight cars can be equipped with the new technology in a short time near their deployment locations, such as at industrial customers. The goal is to create temporary and additional retrofitting capacities and to reduce the downtime of freight cars at the customer. The leading freight railway in Europe, DB Cargo, has successfully completed an initial practical test in Bremen.
Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, DB Board Member for Freight Transport: “The Digital Automatic Coupling has proven in test runs across Europe that it works in practice. Now it’s about finding solutions for how to quickly and efficiently install the DAC in freight cars. With our innovative approach of a pop-up workshop, we have demonstrated that this is possible. In just a few steps, we have transformed an analog freight car into a digital and intelligent one. With the mobile workshops, we will be able to prepare thousands of freight cars for the digital future in a short time.”
150 Deployment Locations Across Europe
When introducing the DAC, operations must be ensured despite two incompatible coupling systems (screw coupling versus DAC). Initially, the freight cars will be pre-equipped to be “DAC ready” during regular workshop stays. The retrofitting to the DAC will then take place with just a few manual steps – similar to a “plug & play approach” – in the pop-up workshops. For this, Deutsche Bahn plans to establish 150 pop-up deployment locations across Europe with partner companies.
Acceleration of Shunting
The DAC accelerates shunting, increases the capacity of transshipment terminals, and enhances the capacity of the existing rail infrastructure. For the DAC, freight cars will be equipped for the first time with continuous power and data lines. It particularly strengthens single wagon traffic as a green alternative to trucks. Starting in 2023, DB Cargo plans to pre-equip its freight cars for DAC installation during regular workshop stays.
Photo: © DB Cargo
