Starting in 2026, Europe will begin testing digital automatic couplers (DAC), with the trials expected to run until 2028, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Europe to Begin Testing Digital Automatic Couplers (DAC)

European Railways (EU-RAIL) have announced plans to test this technology on 100 trains operating on 36 routes under various conditions.

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The testing will cover several key DAC functions, including data transmission systems, wagon counting, and rolling stock length measurement.

Automatic braking systems and the process of uncoupling wagons from the locomotive will also be evaluated.

Additionally, the trials will include testing software update systems and remote coupling device technology that allows for wagon connection.

According to a survey conducted by EU-RAIL in January 2024, 48 out of 140 European railway companies have confirmed their readiness to test DAC on their locomotives.

Various routes, testing methods, and types of cargo will be tested.

The trials will take place both on industrial siding tracks and at railway stations where loading and unloading of wagons occur.

Specifically, DAC will be tested on freight trains in the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic and on the cross-border route from the Ukraine border through Slovakia to the Czech Republic.

Europe to Begin Testing Digital Automatic Couplers (DAC)

Some European carriers have expressed concerns about the implementation of DAC technology.

In January 2023, the President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the EU Commissioner for Transport proposing to expedite DAC testing and provide support for this process.

In April 2024, seven European companies, led by German operator DB Cargo, formed the DAC-Fit consortium to install DAC technology on 500,000 wagons across Europe.

It was previously reported that Voith’s module was selected as the standard for DAC.

Photo: railtarget.eu / Deutsche Bahn AG

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