Digitalisation and the use of new technologies are essential in making rail freight transport fit for the future. Digital automatic coupling is central to this. It will make rail freight transport simpler, more flexible, more reliable and more cost-effective.
© FOT
Central to the digitalisation of rail freight transport is Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC). It brings the following improvements:
- Automatic coupling of wagons and their brake pipes. This replaces the time-consuming manual process of coupling with screw coupling at sidings, assembly yards and marshalling yards.
- Digitalised train preparation process. Trains are manoeuvred digitally via power and data lines. This means that manual documentation and inspection processes required before a freight train can safely depart can be largely replaced.
DAC has the greatest potential in single wagonload transport (SWT). In SWT, thousands of wagons are shunted daily via sidings, formation yards and loading facilities. DAC automates and so speeds up these processes, leading to huge time savings in train preparation.
As many freight trains operate across borders, a coordinated approach with neighbouring countries and the EU is essential in the switch to DAC. Freight wagons and locomotives are to be upgraded to DAC throughout Europe by 2030. The European DAC Delivery Programme (EDDP) has been set up to provide uniform standard DAC technology. The FOT and SBB Cargo represent Switzerland in this consortium, where they can contribute their own interests and exchange experiences. In September 2021, for example, the Scharfenberg coupler-head used by SBB Cargo was selected as the standard for use throughout Europe.
The government proposes providing a one-off investment to refit Swiss rolling stock with DAC technology. This will cover around 30 per cent of the costs and investment will depend on how long the wagons continue to be in service. Provided Parliament agrees to this investment in rail freight transport, between 14,000 and 18,000 wagons and 500 locomotives will be equipped with DAC.
In September 2021 a project to automate rail freight transport in Switzerland, starting with the migration to digital automatic coupling, was launched under the auspices of the FOT with the involvement of the rail sector associations. A target and migration concept has been drawn up and published in coordination with the relevant European bodies (see report under 'Documentation' below).
Further Information
