DAC interview: Thilo Koch on the digital transformation of rail freight
With the #DAC, rail freight is going digital – and posing its own unique demands in the process.
We spoke to Thilo Koch about the specific challenges for hardware in freight settings, how Voith is responding with a range of #DigitalTrainFunctions, and further digital developments in the pipeline.
Does freight pose specific challenges for going digital?
Oh, absolutely. For all that automatic coupling has been used in passenger rail for years, the challenges when it comes to deploying the DAC in rail freight are radically different. And the hardware that forms the digital backbone must be developed to handle these. So we’ve got to take what we already know and apply it to a totally different setting.
For digital freight, couplers need to be far more simple – and more robust.
Obviously, they’re exposed to much higher forces and less clean surroundings than in passenger rail. And remember that most freight wagons are separated and reassigned after every journey, so speedy and trackable coupling is a must. Our job is to deliver flexible and reliable solutions to enable constant monitoring.
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Which solutions has Voith developed in response?
Lots! To enjoy the full benefits of the DAC, you need a whole suite of digital train functions. We already offer fully mechanical coupling, plus automatic coupling of the e-coupler for data transfer. And that monitoring I mentioned? Our train composition solution keeps tabs on the wagon length, position, and sequence at all times.
The automatic brake test ensures safety and efficiency for a much shorter pre-departure process. With Voith’s OnControl suite, our all-new DAC train functions help you monetize digitalization.
And what does the future hold?
It’s all about making progress, so we were thrilled when our e-coupler was recently announced as the European standard solution. This demonstrates how we’re leading the way on all things DAC – and that includes the digital realm. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels.
To be a DAC leader, Voith must also be a digital leader.
That’s why we’re continually developing our hardware and software to tap into yet more digital train functions, such as remote automated uncoupling and train integrity monitoring. Innovations like these, which go beyond the tough DAC5 standard for digital freight trains and further boost rail freight productivity, are key to properly exploiting the digital and automation-related potential of the DAC.