Digital Automatic Coupling: ÖBB is working on the future of European railway freight transport

The digitalisation of European railway freight transport is gathering further momentum: Today ÖBB demonstrated the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) at the Floridsdorf freight yard under real operating conditions. The focus was on a direct comparison between the screw coupler commonly used today and the capabilities of DAC.

Across Europe DAC is regarded as one of the most important innovation projects for railway freight transport. It combines automation, digitalisation and productivity improvements in a joint European initiative and aims to make rail freight transport more efficient, competitive and attractive. Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, says: “An efficient railway freight transport system is crucial for Austria as a business location. The Digital Automatic Coupling demonstrates how innovation can drive the rail sector forward. It improves safety and working conditions for staff, speeds up processes and lays the foundation for further digitalisation steps along the entire transport chain.”

DAC is the foundation for the digital freight train of the future

ÖBB has been actively involved in European development and demonstration projects on DAC for many years. DAC technology not only enables the automatic coupling and uncoupling of freight wagons, but also the continuous transmission of power and data along the entire length of the train. This makes numerous digital applications possible, including automated brake tests, the automatic digital recording of wagon order or – for future use cases – train integrity. At the same time, manual tasks are reduced, safety for staff is increased and processes are accelerated. In the long term, the technology also opens up new possibilities for longer and heavier freight trains, as well as for a more efficient use of existing infrastructure capacity. ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä emphasises: “The DAC is far more than just a new coupling. It is the foundation for the digital freight train of the future and thus for safer and more competitive railway freight transport in Europe. With our demonstrator train, we are demonstrating today that the technology works under real-world conditions.”

ÖBB demonstrator train provides important insights

As part of the Europe’s Rail FP5 TRANS4M-R project, a specially equipped Austrian demo train is currently in operation. Its purpose is to test the technology under real-world operating conditions and to gain insights into technical reliability, safety, maintenance and integration into existing operational processes. For the first time, this involves the use not only of freight wagons but also of appropriately equipped locomotives fitted with DAC technology. The tests carried out to date, including winter trials in Austria, are providing valuable insights for the further development of the technology and its subsequent Europe-wide deployment.

Next step: deployment in commercial rail freight transport

The demonstration phase is now followed by the next milestone: the so-called Pioneer DAC Trains (PioDAC). As part of a project funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in collaboration with European partners, ÖBB will deploy the technology in commercial rail freight transport for the first time. The aim is to demonstrate that DAC is ready for certification and to prove its economic benefits under real-world market conditions. The results of the ongoing demonstrations and the Pioneer DAC Trains are intended to form the basis for further decisions regarding the introduction of DAC in Europe. Prerequisites for this include, amongst other things, technical maturity, operational benefits, harmonised European standards, suitable authorisation procedures, viable financing models and a coordinated European migration plan.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The project is supported by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking and its members.

11.09.2026