TX Logistik and Mercitalia Intermodal launch pilot test for smart freight wagon in Combined Transport

Troisdorf, 09 December 2021 – TX Logistik AG and Mercitalia Intermodal launch a pilot project to test the use of innovative sensors and communication technologies in Combined Transport (CT). The project for a smarter freight train is scheduled to run for 15 months.

In the pilot test, several freight wagons owned by TX Logistik and Mercitalia Intermodal, both part of Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will be operated with a big range of innovative sensors and communication technologies to determine how digital technology can best be integrated into combined transport operations and how processes can be further improved as a result. The “smart wagons” will be tested on various Combined Transport commercial services operated by TX Logistik, will use the wagons in order to obtain the most meaningful data possible from everyday operations.

The freight wagons are equipped with a variety of modern sensors and communication technologies provided by different manufacturers, in particular from Nexxiot and PJM, which represent the latest state of development in terms of innovation and market readiness. For example, the sensors monitor the condition of the braking system during the journey and record the mileage determining the exact location at any time. The data collected by the sensors will also be used directly for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency.

A special focus is placed on the trestle monitoring system, which is important for CT. The digital technology checks the correct position of the kingpin, changes in the locking status, and the loading condition. Furthermore, the target is to move from “smart wagons” to “smart train” where each wagon is connected to the other wagons as well as to the train driver in order to enable the Automatic Brake Test and the monitoring of the train dynamics during the journey.

Based on this data pool, possible further fields of application for process improvement in combined transport should be identified. Further potentialities are expected in this field, thanks to the involvement of various experts from the areas of wagon management, IT, data analysis, and operations with the help of the latest machine learning techniques.

The pilot test will be the pioneer in collecting this huge variety of data directly form combined transport operations and the outcome is expected in spring 2023.

About Mercitalia Intermodal

Mercitalia Intermodal, the MERCITALIA Group company – Gruppo FS Italiane – specialised in unaccompanied combined transport, is the major Intermodal Operator in Italy and the third one in Europe. Mercitalia Intermodal promotes, organizes and markets road-rail combined transport, maritime transport and Door to Door transport services in Italy and abroad, managing a railfreight network connecting more than 150 ports and intermodal terminals throughout Europe. Mercitalia Intermodal manages a wagon fleet of approximately 2.600 modules (of which 1.870 owned modules) used both in domestic and international traffic, which allows it to transport all types of loading units. With around 75 employees, Mercitalia Intermodal develops around 15.500 trains/year international and domestic, moving around 500.000 load units/year and reaching a turnover of 200 million euro.

About TX Logistik AG

TX Logistik was founded in 1999 as a private rail transport company and offers a powerful European network with connections in 11 countries. The company has subsidiaries in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden as well as local representation in Italy and the Netherlands. In the Intermodal and Rail Freight business units, TX Logistik develops comprehensive rail solutions for continental and maritime transport as well as tailor-made concepts for conventional freight. With around 500 employees, the company generated annual sales of € 250 million in 2017. Since January 2017, TX Logistik has been wholly owned by Mercitalia Logistics SpA, a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane

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