DB Cargo has commissioned Siemens Mobility to equip 30,000 freight cars with its CTmobile freight sensor solution. With this system, DB Cargo can directly and continuously determine the cars’ location. The sensor also provides information about load conditions. The freight cars will be equipped over a period of three years. Siemens Mobility will operate the system for six years, monitoring data acquisition and data flows through its central in-house CT server. The contract includes an option to equip up to 50,000 freight cars.
“In an increasingly digitalised world, customers expect a high level of service these days. They want to know in real-time where their freight is, when it will arrive at its destination, and its condition,”said Steffen Bobsien, Senior Vice President European Assets & Technology, DB Cargo.
“We’re pleased that DB Cargo has placed its trust in us for this major project, which acts as a model character for the entire industry. For Siemens Mobility, this is the largest order we’ve received to date for the digitalisation of a freight car fleet,” said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
In 2017, DB Cargo announced that its entire fleet will be equipped with new sensors and telematic systems by 2020. The CTmobile system will provide DB Cargo information about its freight cars and trains in real time and can pass it on to control centers, maintenance personnel and train operators to ensure efficient logistics and route planning.
By tracking the freight cars via GPS, their expected time of arrival can be optimally determined. In addition, data collected by the smart sensors can provide information about the condition of a car’s load as well as the car’s temperature and humidity. Since the position of each freight car can be easily tracked, DB Cargo can achieve higher car availability.
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