photo: Richard Latten / Flickr/Rail freight
The Netherlands is actively supporting the development of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) technology, which could improve rail freight efficiency across Europe.
Recently, Dutch State Secretary for Infrastructure Chris Jansen joined his German counterpart in a presentation of the DAC technology, which is being tested as the future of rail freight. After 2021 testing, the Scharfenberg latch design was chosen as the European standard for the DAC coupler head.
Jansen believes DAC has significant long-term potential to improve rail freight. "It is an exciting new technology with great potential to make rail freight transport more efficient and future-ready," he said, according to RailFreight. However, he also noted that DAC still needs further testing, with pilot projects being crucial in gathering data on its future implementation. "One of the first steps is to develop more pioneer trains for operational trials. These pilot projects will provide important information on how DAC can be implemented effectively," Jansen explained.
These tests, funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), are crucial for understanding how DAC can make European rail transport more competitive. However, Jansen acknowledged that full implementation of the technology will require overcoming several challenges. "Rail freight transport does not stop at the borders of the Netherlands," he emphasized, highlighting the need for European cooperation.
Concerns from Dutch Rail Operators
While the Dutch government is optimistic about DAC, Dutch rail freight operators are more skeptical, RailFreight reports. The industry group RailGood, which represents various rail freight stakeholders, has raised concerns over the cost of DAC. Hans-Willem Vroon, director of RailGood, warned that implementing DAC across Europe could cost as much as EUR 15 billion, excluding the need to modernize locomotives. "The introduction of DAC would increase rail freight costs, which is problematic in an already high-cost environment," Vroon commented.
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In addition to the financial concerns, Vroon pointed out that DAC might be prone to breakdowns, which could affect the reliability of rail freight transport. Similarly, Mark Jansen, Chief Operating Officer at Hupac, agreed that DAC could work for certain types of transport, such as single-car shipments, but believes it offers little benefit for complete trains operating between fixed destinations. "For complete trains running between two fixed destinations, DAC has no added value," Jansen said.
Moving Forward with DAC in European Rail Freight
Despite the concerns from some industry players, DAC technology offers a promising solution for improving the efficiency of rail freight transport in Europe. Jansen and the Dutch government remain committed to testing the technology through pilot projects to gather more data and fine-tune the implementation process. As Jansen said, these pioneer trains will provide valuable insights into how DAC can be successfully rolled out.
However, the concerns raised by Dutch rail freight operators point out the importance of balancing innovation with the economic realities of the rail industry. If DAC is to become a standard across Europe, it will need to prove that its costs and technological challenges can be effectively managed. The next few years will be crucial for determining whether DAC technology can become a sustainable and reliable part of Europe’s rail freight future.
The Future of DAC Technology: Insights from InnoTrans 2024
The potential for DAC technology to revolutionize rail freight was showcased at InnoTrans 2024, the world's largest trade fair for transport technology. Attendees had the chance to experience DAC through a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation using the DAC5 model, developed by Knorr-Bremse. The simulation allowed the attendees to see firsthand how DAC could enhance both efficiency and safety in rail freight transport.
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The VR simulation, among everything, was a training tool, preparing workers for the real-world application of DAC technology. According to presenters at InnoTrans, this technology will play a crucial role when DAC is deployed on pioneer trains by 2026. The event also featured a Round Table Discussion among European rail leaders, including Giorgio Travaini from Europe’s Rail, who emphasized the need for collaborative projects to drive the future of rail transport innovation.
Source: RailFreight; RAILTARGET