Waggon Tracker

Tests of the DAC with Powerline Train Backbone & Automatic Brake Test successfully completed

As part of the FP5 TRANS4M-R project, a prototype test train has successfully tested the most important automated functions using the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC). The tests carried out with a prototype train have shown that the new Powerline PLUS communication technology can be quickly adapted. In view of these promising results, significant developments are now required to achieve a production-ready solution for the digital automatic coupler.

On board the pilot train was PJM's Automatic Brake Test, one of four automated train functions. ‘The system integrated into the PTB communication system worked perfectly. The data was transmitted via PTB and the brake tests were successfully performed using the existing PJM WaggonTracker system,’ reads the summary of the report.

The other three train functions were train composition detection, train integrity monitoring and automatic uncoupling.

Further information

Video

Photo: With courtesy taken from the video "FP5 TRANS4M-R tests and demos"

2025-04-15 12_55_04-FP5 TRANS4M-R tests and demos-PJM

General / Waggon Tracker - 04/24/2025

Tatravagónka and PJM cooperate on digital train functions

Tatravagónka, the leading freight wagon manufacturer in Europe, is integrating PJM's digital freight train functions and automated applications into its equipment range. Hence, the efficiency-enhancing monitoring and automation features are now available ex works for wagon purchasers.

Due to its extensive wagon portfolio, the Slovakian manufacturer is the largest in Europe. Wagon types for the transport of all types of products are developed and manufactured in several plants in Slovakia, including tank and bulk goods wagons, flat wagons, intermodal wagons and steel coil transport wagons. In order to make the benefits of automation and digitalization available to the sector in an efficient way, Tatravagónka is now offering the functionalities of the overall digital system WaggonTracker. The monitoring features include real-time brake analysis and brake system monitoring, real-time kingpin monitoring, IDDS derailment diagnostics paired with real-time in-train communication (direct communication with the train driver), load weight monitoring and automatic brake testing. The majority of the functions are offered exclusively by PJM, the Automatic Brake Test is the European reference system, with broad support from railway undertakings and wagon keepers. The technical applications create a number of essential benefits: lower costs, higher availability of the goods train, faster train preparation and, above all, greater safety. By ordering ex works, the PJM system is optimally integrated into the freight wagons and delivered to the customer.

‘Tatravagónka and our overall digital system complement each other perfectly: as a leading manufacturer, Tatravagónka is constantly developing innovations and optimizations. Our monitoring system, automatic brake testing and load weight monitoring are unique functions that make rail transport safer and optimize it in terms of efficiency, availability and cost-effectiveness. For wagon keepers and railway undertakings, the step towards digital train functions and the associated benefits is very simple. Tatravagónka hands over the required equipment ex works,’ says Günter Petschnig, CEO of PJ Monitoring GmbH. ‘This partnership ensures that the rail freight transport sector receives an advanced, reliable and future-proof overall solution’, says Günter Petschnig

In addition to Tatravagónka, leading wagon hire companies also offer intelligent train functions from PJM in their equipment portfolio: VTG, TRANSWAGGON and GATX equip wagons with automatic brake testing, load weight monitoring or other monitoring functions according to customer requirements.

Check out further information in the press release

General / Waggon Tracker - 04/09/2025

Polo Logistica FS: 600 intermodal wagons to be upgraded with PJM's digital train functions

Mercitalia Intermodal, a company of Polo Logistica FS, and PJM have signed a new order on further fleet equipment with smart train functionalities. Specifically, approximately 600 intermodal wagons will be equipped with PJM’s overall digital WaggonTracker system as part of maintenance work.

In addition to general wagon monitoring (speed, running direction, geofencing, wheelset performance management, last signal, last movement, etc.), the functionalities also include real-time brake monitoring, real-time kingpin monitoring and IDDS derailment detection system. A local radio system within the train set ensures direct communication in real time between the wagons and the train driver. The in-train communication is based on an encrypted, secure connection and open interfaces. The WaggonTracker system is fully compatible with a future DAC system and can be expanded with customized applications thanks to the powerful power supply. The innovative strength of the overall digital system is evidenced by multiple awards, such as the State Prize for Digitalization.

The Italian wagon keeper has been focusing on the digitalization of its intermodal fleet for several years in order to achieve the optimum in rail logistics between the conflicting priorities of cost-effectiveness, availability and safety. The smart train functions are essential as they bring improvements on several levels. Train preparation is shortened, asset management and maintenance work are optimized thanks to a predictive maintenance strategy, reliability is increased, vehicle-friendly operation is made possible and short-term resulting in cost-intensive repair work is minimized. These economic optimizations are supplemented by an increase in safety.

Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics, said: “Innovation and digitalization are two of the enabling factors of our 2025-2029 strategic plan, which includes investments dedicated to digitalization, also thanks to innovative projects such as the smart train. We are constantly committed to adopting cutting-edge technologies to significantly reduce the environmental impact of logistics operations, while ensuring a high-quality service. The smart train is one of the projects that will allow Mercitalia Logistics to become a European logistics player, contributing to the evolution of global logistics”.

Media release

General / Waggon Tracker - 02/14/2025

Even more team power: PJM continues its organic growth

In January we welcomed 3 new colleagues and last year we increased our team power with 10 new employees. PJM has thus continued its organic growth. ‘We have expanded in all areas. Our headquarters and technical facilities have been expanded and our teams have been strengthened in all specialized disciplines, namely in measurement and testing technology, digital rail freight transport, PJ Motion and RCC,’ summarise Martin Joch and Günter Petschnig. There are still many ideas and concrete plans for the future. However, the focus will continue to be on growing steadily, but in manageable steps.

General / Waggon Tracker - 01/30/2025

PJM higlights 2024 in a video nutshell

We have packed our highlights of 2024 into a PJM review 2024. 1 year in 1 minute to look back on.

PJM_Jahresrueckblick_2024_v3_EN - frame at 0m2s-klein

General / Waggon Tracker - 12/27/2024

Partnership with GATX Rail Europe

GATX Rail Europe is pleased to announce its new partnership with PJ Monitoring (PJM), a respected player in the rail solutions industry. This collaboration, finalized during a recent workshop in Graz, is a strategic move to diversify and enhance our telematics sensor offerings. Through this partnership, GATX aims to provide our customers with greater capabilities to strengthen their rail operations in three areas.

1. Complementing Existing Telematics Solutions & Sensors

GATX will be introducing a new range of sensors that will enhance its current sensor portfolio. These additions are designed to optimize efficiency and safety. These enhancements will provide a new level of automation in rail logistics.

Johannes Friess, Head of Fleet Management at GATX Rail Europe, said, “We are known for our high-quality, modern railcar fleet and are now expanding our sensor portfolio with easy access to state-of-the-art sensor technology, paving the way for the next level of railway transport automation.”

2. Enhanced Overload Protection

With the new Eanos & Eamnos railcars, GATX offers the option of using the overload protection sensors from PJM. This technology has been tried and tested on various wagon types over the years, demonstrating its effectiveness. The commitment is to increase its implementation and extend its usage to optimize the safety and efficiency of rail freight transport.

3. Innovative Automatic Brake Testing

In collaboration with PJM, GATX is also actively offering railcars with automatic brake test system equipment. This holds immense potential for our customers, giving them the means to significantly streamline their operations by saving time during brake tests. GATX Rail Europe views this initiative as more than just a singular solution; it represents a cross-sectoral development that has the potential to positively influence the entire railway market.

Günter Petschnig, Managing Director at PJM, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with the railcar experts at GATX Rail Europe on digitialization and automation solutions such as the brake testing and the load monitoring, because together we can increase the safety and efficiency of railway transports.”

Video on load monitoring system

Text provided by GATX Europe, photo by Markus Lang

gatx_2021_06_14_by_markus_lang_0243klein

General / Waggon Tracker - 11/20/2024

Timber loading made easy: video on automated load monitoring

Loading ‘difficult’ materials such as wood, gravel, bulk goods or scrap is always a challenge for hauliers and shippers, as it is not possible to load by volume. The weight of timber can change by up to 50% - depending on the weather conditions. Overloaded or asymmetrically loaded freight wagons cost valuable time and money, e.g. due to the queuing at infrastructure points, higher repair costs due to increased wear and tear, etc.
With real-time load weight monitoring, the loading capacity is utilised in the best possible way and overloading is avoided. Signal lamps directly on the wagon provide real-time information about the loading status so that the loader can take corrective action. The advantages of the load monitoring system? Greater efficiency, faster loading, lower costs and more safety for environmentally friendly rail transport.

Video on load monitoring system

General / Waggon Tracker - 10/22/2024

1-year anniversary of PJ Motion

The youngest company in the PJM Group can look back positively on its first financial year. Due to the very good order situation, three more colleagues have joined the company. Approval issues with functional safety and retrofitting of rail vehicles are particularly in demand.

The founding team of Thomas Hofer, Markus Fankhauser, Lorenz Kochan and Joachim Wagner summarize the first review of the past 12 months in an interview: Short clip

Press release

General / Presseberichte / Waggon Tracker - 10/11/2024

Styrian Future Conference 2024: PJM takes part as innovation award winner

Companies and scientific institutions from Styria are coming together this year under the motto of cooperation. The Future Day is a platform for new ideas, knowledge exchange and future-shaping projects. The “Future Day” is organized by SFG, the Province of Styria and JR.

PJM has been invited as a winner of the Innovation Award 2024 and will put the spotlight on its unique automatic brake test. It is the first and only approved system that automates a complex, manual process. The brake testing system is already in use at SBB Cargo and on board of several pilot trains in Europe.

Automated rail freight transport is crucial in order to become more attractive, competitive, faster and safer and to cushion the demographic-related shortage of skilled labor. The focus is also shifting to environmentally friendly rail transport in order to achieve the climate targets that have been set.

General / Waggon Tracker - 10/01/2024

InnoTrans 2024: For the first time, PJM is presented with 4 companies

PJM will be presenting itself four times at this year's industry highlight. PJ Messtechnik, PJ Monitoring, PJ Motion and RCC will be represented with their areas of expertise.

With these 4 business areas, PJM is now a strong partner throughout the entire life cycle of a rail vehicle and can take on all tasks relating to the authorization of rail vehicles. The range of services includes consulting from the initial idea and authorization management by PJ Motion, engineering and vehicle testing by PJ Messtechnik, and the portfolio as an accredited inspection body by RCC. The portfolio is supplemented by digital applications for goods trains such as automatic brake testing or the most comprehensive smart train functions currently available in the freight wagon sector. ‘Through organic, sustainable growth and the consistent expansion of infrastructure and specialist areas, PJM has firmly established in the rail industry. This is reflected, among other things, in the fact that larger project volumes are being commissioned in the area of vehicle testing and engineering,’ says Martin Joch, CEO of PJ Messtechnik.

The automatic brake testing and smart train functionalities provided by PJ Monitoring are attractive applications in the freight wagon sector: ‘Our brake testing system is of great interest to large rail transport companies, smaller private railways and also wagon keepers, as it solves several key problems. Train preparation is shortened and the shortage of skilled labor as well as increasing costs due to higher personnel expenses and inflation are significantly cushioned. The system saves time and money and creates efficiency - all of which is urgently needed in rail transport,’ says Günter Petschnig, CEO of PJ Monitoring.

PJ Motion is the youngest company in the PJM group, but has already established itself as a renowned partner after just one year, particularly in authorization management. ‘The focus of our projects is clearly on authorization management. Our expertise in the 4th railway package is in hight demand because we can reduce complexity and provide objective decision-making support in terms of technical and economic challenges,’ says Thomas Hofer, CEO of PJ Motion.

PJM at InnoTrans: City Cube/ Hall A / 220

The automatic brake test and the WaggonTracker system will also be showcased on various freight wagons in the outdoor area:

TATRAVAGÓNKA a.s., T4 / 60
Load Monitoring System: TransAnt GmbH, T8 / 60
WaggonTracker system: Erciyas Rail Raylı Ulaşım Araçları San. A.Ş: T2 / 17

PJ Messtechnik

Accredited test center ISO/IEC 17025 including the test areas running behavior, fatigue strength, brakes, acoustics, aerodynamics, pantograph (new test area)
Engineering / design CAD, calculation FEM, simulation MBS / certification AAR WABL Committee
Development & series production of instrumented wheelsets
Autonomous measuring systems for rail vehicles and infrastructure

PJ Monitoring

Digital rail freight transport
Digital overall system WaggonTracker
Automatic brake testing & load weight monitoring
Smart freight train & Europe's most intelligent goods train

PJ Motion GmbH

Authorisation management according to the 4th railway package
Project management / technical project management
Bid and tendering support
Feasibility studies
ECM implementation
Asset management

RCC Railway Competence & Certification GmbH

Notified body interoperability (Notified Body) NB 2697
Independent assessment body (Assessment Body) AT/35/0122/0400
Designated body Austria (Designated Body) ID 2021-0.881.187
ECM certification body EIN: AT/30/0421/0001

General / Waggon Tracker - 09/19/2024