VIDEO: DAC - Demos, Tests and Progress!

Digitalisation - a vital component for modernisation the freight rail

To meet emission targets in Europe the transport sector needs to work harder than ever to utilise the sustainable modes of transport there is. Rail is an obvious choice for the European commission as it forwards a lot with a small impact on the environment.  The digital automatic coupler (DAC) enables digital functions which will increase capacity and efficiency in the rail system.  

Anna Björkman, Program Manager at Rail Sweden, is responsible for the coordination of the tests within the European FP5-TRANS4M-R project. together with Trafikverket.   

- The film shows test activities during the first two years of the project. I hope the film gives you an understanding and insights of our performed tests and the important results we have gained so far.  

 
Testing – a part of the DAC authorisation 

The project manager of FP5-TRANS4M-R, Molley Williams, explains why rigorous testing is so important.  

- We need these tests because at the end of the day, it's about authorisation. We want to authorise the digital automatic coupler. And therefore, we need tests. We need to show that we have a robust product, a reliable product, a safe product and secure processes.  

Tests in different environments 

The tests have been conducted in three different countries during the first phase within the FP5-TRANS4M-R project.  

The test activities start in the rigs of the suppliers. When the solutions are mature enough the coupler is ready to be tested in the train test lab in Spandau, Berlin, which is a safe and closed environment. The tests here focus on installation-, interoperability-, e-coupler assessment and the reference test system.    

In Switzerland the demo trains were driven by SBB Cargo. The aim was to further work on the e-coupler assessment, the testing Powerline PLUS technology and hump yard operations.  

Sweden will have two demo trains running to test the system during extreme conditions which will fully the test the robustness of the DAC.  In the south part, SHN Cargo will drive the intermodal train in daily commercial traffic for two years. This is the first train in commercial traffic in EU to ever use DAC. The second commercial demonstrator is a heavy steel train run by Green Cargo and operates in the north.

Future Improvements 

Looking ahead, the project is concentrating on system validation, gathering evidence for authorisation, and launching two new demonstrator trains in Italy and Austria. These upcoming demonstrations will further evaluate the digital functions of the DAC in diverse operational contexts.  

Beyond the project's 2026 conclusion, the foundation laid by FP5-TRANS4M-R will support larger-scale pilot trains with full digital functionality operating in commercial traffic. These pilot programs will represent the true beginning of widespread DAC adoption and the transformation of European rail freight.  

The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Europe’s Rail joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.