‘Virtual coupling’, a new technology being applied by Russian Railways, is showing tangible results. The technology automates the distance between two consecutive trains. It allows for more efficient use of space on the railways and is being used increasingly often.

According to Russian Railways (RZD), the technology facilitates maximum exploitation of the railways’ throughput capacity. Virtual coupling allows for the formation of ‘packages’ of trains of various weights and lengths that travel along the same line. The distance between the trains is regulated automatically by the virtual coupling system. It uses an interval of nine minutes at the minimum between consecutive trains.

In 2023, the technology helped RZD transport an extra 5 million tonnes of freight to the country’s so-called ‘Eastern Polygon’, the Trans-Siberian railway and Baikal-Amur line. Over 42,000 heavy freight trains used the technology last year, including the first ‘package’ of five trains.

Coping with limitations

Virtual coupling helps RZD cope with the growing demand for freight transportation in the eastern direction. Western sanctions have forced Russia to reorient its exports eastward, putting increased strain on the limited capacity of the Eastern Polygon rail network. In 2024, Russia will also test the system in the southern direction.

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