Frozen Tracks: Sweden Puts DAC Systems to the Arctic Test

Sweden's Arctic railways are the ultimate testbed for Europe's freight revolution. As temperatures drop to -35°C, cutting-edge Digital Automatic Couplers face their toughest trial yet.

Europe is advancing its railway modernization with Digital Automatic Couplers (DAC) undergoing critical testing in Sweden. The tests are a part of the FP5 TRANS4M-R project supported by Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking and focus on challenging terrain and extreme weather to ensure reliability and efficiency in future rail freight operations.

Revolutionizing Rail Freight with DAC

DAC technology automates coupling and uncoupling, introduces electrification between wagons, and streamlines brake testing—addressing safety, efficiency, and sustainability. "To use DAC for more efficient European freight systems, we first have to test and demonstrate that we have a robust, reliable, safe product and secure processes," said Molley Williams, Project Manager for FP5 TRANS4M-R. These advancements support Europe's 2030 goal of increasing rail freight’s modal share to 50%, according to Rail Freight Forward.

Testing DAC Under Harsh Sweden's Conditions

The commercial demonstrator, operated by Green Cargo, runs daily steel transports from SSAB’s steel mill in Luleå to Borlänge, covering over 1,000 kilometers in Arctic conditions. Weighing up to 3,800 tonnes, these trains are among the heaviest outside ore transport. The project includes collaboration with Trafikverket, Rail Sweden, and Svensk Maskinprovning, among others. "Approving such testing activities in commercial traffic on public tracks ensures that the technologies work in these specific challenging conditions," noted the Swedish Transport Agency.

The European Vision for Rail Freight Digitalization

The European Union is pushing forward with digitalizing its rail freight sector to make it more efficient, sustainable, and competitive. A central part of this effort is the European Train Control System (ETCS), which aims to replace the patchwork of national signaling systems with a single European standard. According to strategy&, together with Automatic Train Operation (ATO), ETCS is a cornerstone of rail sector modernization. However, progress has been slow—by 2020, only 14% of the EU rail network had ETCS installed, with hopes of reaching 25% by 2030 and 35% by 2040.

#ConnectingEurope Express in 🇩🇪Halle freight terminal: demonstration of Digital Automatic Coupling 👇

Coupling & uncoupling wagons automatically will cut the time needed by 70% compared to manual connection! #EUYearofRail pic.twitter.com/s7D586zHck

— EU Transport (@Transport_EU) September 29, 2021

The EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy sets an ambitious goal: to grow rail freight transport by 50% by 2030. To make this vision a reality, the industry is focusing on advanced technologies like DAC. As the European Commission states, the EU-funded DACcelerate project plays a vital role in this transformation, working with stakeholders to tackle challenges and improve automation, safety, and efficiency across the network.

Source: European Commission; strategy&; Rail Freight Forward; Rail Sweden at Lindholmen Science Park, Green Cargo and Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration Press Release