Switzerland Invests $211 Million in Digital Coupling DAC: The Future of European Railways

Switzerland to Allocate $211 Million for the Development of Digital Coupling DAC, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Swiss government will allocate $211 million in subsidies to support the implementation of digital automatic coupling (DAC) in the railway industry.

LTG Cargo: Growth in Domestic Transport and New International Routes in 2024

This was announced by the country’s Minister of Transport, Albert Rösti, who emphasized the importance of investing in innovative technologies to improve the efficiency of freight transportation.

The digital coupling system is designed to significantly simplify management processes and enhance the operational performance of trains.

The minister also noted that successful implementation of DAC requires international coordination.

This is especially important for European Union countries and those with limited financial resources. The implementation of the technology involves significant costs, so joint efforts are needed for mass production and cost optimization.

However, there is still no consensus among European countries regarding the cost-effectiveness of introducing digital coupling. The Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia have expressed doubts about the feasibility of such investments.

They point out that current financing will only cover 50% of the costs for testing and deploying the technology. These countries believe that the EU needs to offer more substantial financial support.

The European Rail Association (EU-RAIL) announced in August 2024 its plans to begin DAC testing between 2026 and 2028.

Testing is expected to take place on 36 routes, involving approximately 100 trains. This will allow for an evaluation of the technology’s effectiveness in various operational conditions.

In particular, plans have been announced to test the coupling system on freight trains in the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic, as well as on cross-border routes connecting Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

The initiative to introduce digital coupling is part of global efforts to modernize railway infrastructure and enhance its competitiveness on the international stage.

Photo: railtarget.eu

Rail business, industry, and railway technology news from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

China Halts Operation of its First Hydrogen Tram Line: What Happened and How Will This Affect the Project?