Rail Cargo Group and A1 have reached the milestone of equipping 11,000 freight wagons with SmartCargo devices. SmartCargo technology allows for position detection, shock detection, and more efficient maintenance.

Clemens Först, CEO of RCG, highlighted the importance of SmartCargo in optimising international freight transport. “With SmartCargo, we are taking a big step towards state-of-the-art railway logistics. The information provided by the 11,000 devices can be used to optimise numerous processes from customer information to optimisation of deployment planning and maintenance. We are shaping that future,” emphasised.

On his behalf, CEO of A1 Austria, Marcus Grausam, said that “5G and IoT applications are revolutionising not only individual mobility but also freight mobility.”

All-in-one sensors

The project was launched in 2019. Thanks to the SmartCargo devices, it is possible to monitor the location of a wagon in real-time, allowing easier predictions of eventual changes in arrival time. This function is enhanced by instant messages that the system sends when a wagon crosses national borders. Additionally, shock detection sensors are vital when it comes to monitoring sensitive goods during train trips.

What is more, SmartCargo technologies can be useful for quicker identification of possible damage, as well as for faster and more effective maintenance. All of this is possible thanks to a real-time data-sharing system that makes data digitally accessible. In case of a lack of network coverage, data is stored until the next signal is available and then sent. SmartCargo Devices are equipped with batteries that can last up to six years.