Mercitalia Intermodal, a company of the Logistics Hub of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group, has signed an agreement with the Austrian PJM to boost the fleet with new smart train. Between 2025 and 2027, around 600 intermodal wagons will be equipped with PJM's WaggonTracker digital system, improving maintenance efficiency and management. In addition to the general monitoring of wagons, the system offers including real-time control of the braking system, load stability, train composition and derailment detection. A local radio system on board the train ensures immediate communication between the wagons and the engine crew. The data is transmitted via a Encrypted and secure connection, supported by open interfaces.

The WaggonTracker system is fully compatible with future DAC systems (digital and automatic wagon coupling) and can be integrated with custom applications, thanks to a high-power supply.

Highlighting that the functionalities of smart trains offer significant improvements on multiple fronts, reducing train preparation times, optimising the management of asset and maintenance through predictive strategies, increasing reliability and simplifying the use of vehicles and minimizing downtime, Sabrina De Filippis, administrator delegate of Mercitalia Logistics, recalled that "innovation and digitalization are two of the key factors of our plan strategic strategy 2025-2029 which provides for investments dedicated to the digitization, thanks also to innovative projects such as smart train. We are constantly committed - he underlined - to adopt cutting-edge technologies to significantly reduce environmental impact of logistics operations, ensuring that the high quality service. The smart train is one of the projects that will allow Mercitalia Logistics to become one of the protagonists of European logistics processes, contributing to the evolution of global logistics".