Members of the French Rail Freight of the Future (4F) coalition have launched the MONITOR project.
This will see rail cars equipped with sensors to monitor and prevent derailment, incorrect brake applications and reduce train preparation time.
This is the first innovation project from 4F, which was created to advance Europe’s rail freight industry, and is funded by the French Government as part of France 2030.
Lasting for three and a half years, the project will be operated by ADEME, the French agency for ecological transition.
It focuses on four key technologies: radio communication between cars, bogie monitoring, brake monitoring and automated brake testing.
Solutions will be developed by Wabtec based on needs established by 4F, before being tested in real conditions on SNCEUF and RDT 13 rolling stock.
The outcomes of this project could not only help reduce maintenance costs but also contribute to the EU’s goals of doubling the modal share of rail to 30% by 2030, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050.
“The digitalisation of freight represents a major opportunity for rail operators in terms of operating safety, productivity, attractiveness of our professions and improvement of working conditions.
“Fret SNCF is playing a major role in the MONITOR Project, an essential brick in preparing the autonomous freight train of tomorrow, by sharing its expertise and feedback on freight train operations, and by testing new solutions in real conditions on board its locomotives and the wagons it operates.”
