The DAC system presented at Expo Ferroviaria

FS Logistix (FS Group) brings new logistics innovation technologies for Europe to Expo Ferroviaria 2025.

 

A wagon equipped with the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) technology system for automatic and smart coupling of freight wagons was presented today in Milan, in the outdoor exhibit area.

 

The project was carried out in partnership with Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking - the European partnership for rail research and innovation - and Dellner, the technology provider.

 

The event was attended by Carla Alessi, General Director for Transport and Railway Infrastructure of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe's Rail, Sabrina De Filippis, Chief Executive Officer and General Director of FS Logistix, Maria Antonietta Zocco, Head of the Technical Department at Mercitalia Intermodal.

 

Purpose of the DAC system is making freight trains more efficient and economically viable, by integrating digital freight handling technologies in them. This is a step towards the digitisation and automation of rail freight transport, with the aim of making the system more efficient and competitive.

 

'We are the first in Italy to support the digital DAC system, which provides an important technological upgrade to wagons for freight train management' - said Sabrina De Filippis, CEO and GD of FS Logistix. 'This European experiment runs in parallel with the ongoing investments that we, as FS Group, are making to help global logistics evolve. The DAC should be a priority for the entire sector, and supported by Italian and European institutions, as it further increases safety levels and is one of the enabling factors for the qualitative relaunch of freight mobility from a multimodal perspective'.

 

'Through the contribution of FS Logistix and its European partners, Italy is playing a fundamental role in the green and digital transition of freight transport in Europe, also by developing and standardizing the DAC as a key component' - added Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe’s Rail. 'This demonstration, and the research work carried out within Europe's Rail, are an integral part of the European strategy targeted at more integrated, connected and competitive rail logistics for the benefit of businesses and citizens'.

 

The automatic and digital coupling/uncoupling enables safer wagon connection/disconnection operations, by ensuring the mechanical, pneumatic, electrical/electronic and digital connection of the entire convoy. Trains equipped with the DAC gain in load capacity and length, with minimised times and costs in rail freight flow operational phases, and provide providing benefits by optimising the capacity of the railway infrastructure.

 

FS Logistix - with its companies Mercitalia Intermodal, Mercitalia Rail and Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal - is actively involved in Europe's Rail for DAC experimentation through the TRANS4M-R and DACtiVate projects. The first demo train in Italy, operated by FS Logistix, is scheduled to arrive in 2026.

 

The goal is to accelerate the development of innovative technologies and solutions for the operational efficiency of the logistics sector, contributing to the achievement of the broader and more ambitious sustainable mobility strategic goals set by the European Union. FS Group is a founding member of Europe's Rail, confirming its ongoing commitment to innovation and development in the rail transport sector.