Austrian rail technology company PJ Monitoring is positioning its WaggonTracker system as a bridge between today’s wagon fleets and future digital automatic coupling.
The system is designed to automate and monitor key freight train functions on a single platform. These include automatic brake testing, brake system monitoring, loading supervision, train composition data, mileage, position, movement history, geofencing and in-train communication.
According to PJM, several thousand WaggonTracker systems have already been deployed for customers including SBB Cargo, FS LogistiX, Mercer, Plasser & Theurer, TRANSWAGGON, VTG and Tatravagónka.
One of the main functions is the automatic brake test, which replaces manual inspection rounds using a tablet-based process. PJM says the system can reduce the brake testing time for a 500-metre freight train from two 40-minute inspection rounds to less than five minutes.
The company said the brake test has been in operational use since 2017 and has also been tested on DAC trains. Most recently, it was used on a Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn test train in commercial operation as part of the DAC4EU project. PJM supplied the automatic brake test and 400-volt power supply, while Voith supplied the Cargo-Flex coupling.
The WaggonTracker system is compatible with conventional screw couplings and future digital automatic coupling systems. PJM said its functions already cover elements expected in the basic DAC package, including power and data supply for determining train composition, train length and train integrity.
“The system is highly flexible, optimises fleet operation and availability, and enhances safety,” said Günter Petschnig, CEO of PJ Monitoring. He added that the system has already been used across Europe, from Scandinavia to southern Italy.
PJM argues that digital functions such as automatic brake testing can increase operational speed, improve wagon availability and support the competitiveness of rail freight at a time when the sector faces cost pressure and a shortage of skilled workers.
