The Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC): An Effective Way to Sustainably Increase the Efficiency of Freight Transport in Europe

Abstract

This paper employs and improves TrainDy software to simulate the in-train forces of single and coupled freight trains with a Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC), having a length from 740 m to 1500 m and hauled mass between 1600 t and 8000 t. Software improvements have focused on the ability to natively simulate the electro-pneumatic (EP) brake, which will be a feature of the future DAC. The various types of DAC and their main features are outlined in the paper. The study shows that it is also possible to increase the trains hauled mass by using radio communication between traction units (TUs). The “relative approach” method is used to demonstrate the safety of these new trains. The paper’s main results are reported in the conclusions and demonstrate the effectiveness of both technologies in increasing freight transport efficiency, even when applied to coupled trains where one train is “classic” and the other is equipped with mechanical DAC.