Another stage in developing automatic coupling for rail freight
Two technology companies, PJ Monitoring and Voith, have joined forces to further develop automatic coupling for the rail freight sector. In the coming years, they will work together to combine their own solutions into one system that will provide coupler-assisted automatic train inauguration and the safe remote-controlled decoupling of freight wagons.
The main objective of the joint project of PJ Monitoring (PJM) and Voith is to form the basis for highly digitised logistics management, particularly for such activities in rail freight as coupling or decoupling freight wagons as well as to provide more efficiency and safety for rail freight operations. To this end, both companies will deliver their leading-edge capabilities in digitalisation, automation, automatic couplers and will jointly manage the development of key components such as safety-related applications, communication tools or protocols. Moreover, it is planned to transfer the system into an industry platform during a subsequent project phase to make it available to other market participants.
Experience of both partners
PJM, a leading Austrian developer and supplier of automation solutions for rail freight operations, will deliver to the partnership its patented monitoring system WaggonTracker, which combines monitoring and automation to provide fleet operators with important real-time information about their freight wagons. This data can also be used to automate complex processes; for instance, WaggonTracker also allows brake tests to be performed automatically. The platform has enabled numerous customers to significantly improve efficiency and achieve substantial cost savings.
As for Voith from Germany, it has a wide range of innovations in the rail technology segment. One example is the company’s automatic freight coupler CargoFlex. The coupler, developed by Voith, has already demonstrated many times that it can improve the competitiveness of freight transport and strengthen the market position of fleet operators. CargoFlex is the second cornerstone of the development alongside WaggonTracker.