KORAIL, Unveils 'Automatic Coupling and Decoupling System' for Freight Trains

[Financial News] Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 11th that it held a demonstration of the freight train 'Automatic Coupling and Decoupling System' at Daebul Station in Yeongam-gun, Jeonnam on the afternoon of the 10th.
The Automatic Coupling and Decoupling System is a technology that connects and disconnects locomotives and freight cars via wireless control without the need for engineers and transport staff. It consists of five core technologies: △locomotive control system for remote train operation △automatic coupler connecting freight cars △real-time vehicle tracking system △video surveillance system △comprehensive control device. This is the first time in the world that such technology has been integrated into freight trains and operated on actual tracks.
Previously, engineers and transport staff communicated via radio to connect freight cars, but with this technology, freight cars can be automatically connected and disconnected by simply pressing a button indoors.
The event was attended by over 150 people, including Jeong Jeong-rae, acting president of KORAIL, domestic industry-academia-research railway experts, and representatives from Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German state railway. After a field briefing on the five years of research progress and development facilities, a freight train consisting of about 140m long seven cars was demonstrated to operate unmanned on the track with just button operation.
The research technology and development devices are in the process of obtaining domestic and international certification. Plans are in place to further enhance technological capabilities, such as reducing work time and improving accuracy, and to establish legal grounds for operational personnel qualification standards and related train operations.
Acting President Jeong said, "As it is an innovation in digital transformation that greatly improves the safety of essential freight train coupling and decoupling operations in rail logistics, we will further advance the technology and strive to enhance operational efficiency."

act@fnnews.com Choi Ah-young Reporter