Rail Sweden presented at the national transport conference

Introduction to DAC

1. What does DAC mean for the transition to the digital freight train?

In order to strengthen the freight railway as a competitive actor, freight traffic needs to be digitized. The digital automatic coupler (DAC) is one of the most important enablers in this work.

2. What advantages does DAC mean for train management itself?

DAC increases efficiency by connecting and disconnecting wagons faster than today's physically heavy and time-consuming work. It also means that operators can run longer and heavier trains.

3. What other benefits does DAC bring?

The digital functions are made possible via automatic transmission of electricity and data through the link. One example is that the brake tests can be automated, which means that it is much faster to prepare the train for departure. DAC also contributes to improved safety and the working environment as the disconnection of trolleys can be controlled remotely.

4. Which major players are involved in the development of DAC?

The work is done within the framework of the European project TRANS4M-R, which is led by Europe's Rail. The Swedish Transport Administration and Lindholmen Science Park are responsible for the overall planning for the tests. They are done both in closed environments and on the public European railway network in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway and Austria, as well as detailed planning of the demo trains that run in Sweden. A total of 79 actors participate in the project.

Anna Björkman is responsible for the European tests of the digital automatic coupler (DAC).
Jonas Ericsson is in charge for demonstrators train in the TRANS4M-R project in Sweden.