Milan and Graz, February 2025: Mercitalia Intermodal, a company of Polo Logistica FS, and PJM have signed a new order on further fleet equipment with smart train functionalities. Specifically, approximately 600 intermodal wagons will be equipped with PJM’s overall digital WaggonTracker system as part of maintenance work.
In addition to general wagon monitoring (speed, running direction, geofencing, wheelset performance management, last signal, last movement, etc.), the functionalities also include real-time brake monitoring, real-time kingpin monitoring and IDDS derailment detection system. A local radio system within the train set ensures direct communication in real time between the wagons and the train driver. The in-train communication is based on an encrypted, secure connection and open interfaces. The WaggonTracker system is fully compatible with a future DAC system and can be expanded with customized applications thanks to the powerful power supply. The innovative strength of the overall digital system is evidenced by multiple awards, such as the State Prize for Digitalization.
The Italian wagon keeper has been focusing on the digitalization of its intermodal fleet for several years in order to achieve the optimum in rail logistics between the conflicting priorities of cost-effectiveness, availability and safety. The smart train functions are essential as they bring improvements on several levels. Train preparation is shortened, asset management and maintenance work are optimized thanks to a predictive maintenance strategy, reliability is increased, vehicle-friendly operation is made possible and short-term resulting in cost-intensive repair work is minimized. These economic optimizations are supplemented by an increase in safety.
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics, said: “Innovation and digitalization are two of the enabling factors of our 2025-2029 strategic plan, which includes investments dedicated to digitalization, also thanks to innovative projects such as the smart train. We are constantly committed to adopting cutting-edge technologies to significantly reduce the environmental impact of logistics operations, while ensuring a high-quality service. The smart train is one of the projects that will allow Mercitalia Logistics to become a European logistics player, contributing to the evolution of global logistics”.
‘Rail logistics companies are facing an extremely challenging economic environment. Digital and automated goods trains provide the required efficiency, cost-effectiveness, availability and predictability. With intelligent train functions, wagon keepers are already benefiting from multiple advantages today and are also ideally equipped for future technologies such as Digital Automatic Coupling,’ said Günter Petschnig, CEO of PJ Monitoring. ‘Progressive companies like Mercitalia Intermodal are driving innovation and technological developments forward, thereby increasing the competitiveness of environmentally friendly rail freight transport.’
About Mercitalia Intermodal, a company of Polo Logistica FS
Mercitalia Intermodal has specialized in unaccompanied combined transport within the Group. As the largest intermodal operator in Italy and the third largest in Europe, it manages a group of wagon platforms used in national and international transport. Mercitalia Intermodal promotes, organizes and markets combined road-rail, maritime and door-to-door transport and manages a rail freight network connecting over 150 ports and intermodal terminals throughout Europe. The company has received several awards for outstanding innovative projects. Last year, Mercitalia’s smart train was honored with Italy’s most important logistics award (Il Logistico Dell’Anno 2023) and the Austrian Mobility Award.
Further information: https://www.mercitaliaintermodal.it/content/mercitalia_intermodal/en.html
About PJM
PJM is an internationally renowned system specialist for rail transport and has successfully implemented projects in 30 countries on 6 continents. With its WaggonTracker system, PJ Monitoring GmbH is a technology leader in the automation and digitalization of rail freight transport. The digital overall system WaggonTracker as well as applications such as the automatic brak test or Europe’s smartest freight train of Mercitalia have already received 12 awards. As an accredited test center according to ISO/IEC 17025, PJ Messtechnik GmbH carries out tests worldwide for the approval of rail vehicles. PJ Motion GmbH specializes in the authorization and project management of track-bound vehicles.
Weitere Informationen: https://pjm.co.at/
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