Freight trains become “smart”

The Rail Cargo Group (RCG started the “SmartCargo” project in cooperation with A1 and A1 Digital: special telematics on the RCG wagons enables new services for customers as well as significantly improved and even more efficient maintenance coordination. By the end of 2020, RCG freight wagons will have position detection, motion sensors and shock detection. With the additional development of an IT platform, RCG together with A1 is gradually putting intelligent freight trains on track.

End-to-end information provision

The SmartCargo project was officially presented at the kick-off event on 4 February at the ÖBB headquarters. RCG CEO Clemens Först and A1 CEO Marcus Grausam presented the wagon technology of the future. A SmartCargo device is attached to each of around 13,700 RCG wagons and provides comprehensive information throughout the entire transport of goods. The position sensor provides the exact GPS coordinates of the wagon at predefined intervals. Another sensor provides reliable motion detection independent of GPS reception, while the 3D acceleration sensor is used to detect impacts and monitor the transport of sensitive goods. In addition, the system can use geofencing to send an immediate message when crossing predefined zones, such as national borders. If there is no network coverage for data transmission, the hardware also has an SMS fallback level.

As part of initial tests, around 300 wagons are currently being equipped with SmartCargo. At the same time, an IT platform is being set up where all information relating to a specific transport can be called up digitally in a clear and compact manner. It will also be possible to integrate third-party wagons that are part of the train formation but not owned by RCG. Thus, RCG and A1 are taking an important step towards rail freight transport of the future.

A1 – Internet, telephony, TV and IT solutions from a single source

A1 is Austria's leading communications provider with more than 5.3 million mobile customers and more than 2.1 million fixed-network lines. Customers benefit from a comprehensive, one-stop offering consisting of voice telephony, Internet access, digital cable television, data and IT solutions, wholesale services and mobile business and payment solutions.

A1 Digital

Digital advises companies on questions of digital transformation and supports them in the digitalization of their business areas. The focus is on industry-specific applications in the area of Internet of Things (IoT) as well as on cloud-based products for the modern workplace and security solutions for the cloud and IoT. A1 (legal entity: A1 Telekom Austria AG) and A1 Digital are part of the A1 Telekom Austria Group – a leading provider of digital services and communication solutions.