Knorr-Bremse, the world leader in railway braking systems and other subsystems, has launched its innovative digital solution called FreightControl Sentinel for the first time on the UK market. This development is being described as the beginning of a new era in terms of efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness in British rail transport. The FreightControl Sentinel system has been integrated into JPA wagons operated by the British division of Heidelberg Materials and its first application has begun.
FreightControl Sentinel: Smart Technologies in One
FreightControl Sentinel incorporates a range of intelligent technologies that will shape the future of rail transport. The system ensures that trains brake safely thanks to wheel slip prevention technology, while continuously collecting real-time data on the performance of the braking system via advanced brake status sensors. This valuable data is instantly transmitted to the relevant units via a cloud-based gateway. This enables continuous monitoring of the condition of the wagons and early intervention in the event of potential faults. The continuous diagnostic capability significantly increases transport safety by minimising unexpected stops.
Strong Collaboration with iWagon Platform
Knorr-Bremse developed the iWagon platform, which forms the basis of the FreightControl Sentinel technology, in cooperation with VTG, one of Europe’s leading railcar rental companies. The platform, which will begin testing in the UK in 2023, has been successfully validated in trials to demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency under real-world conditions. This partnership creates significant synergies for the development and implementation of innovative solutions for rail transport.
Rapid Adoption in the UK Market
Heidelberg Materials has become the first UK operator to use the iWagon system on 32 JPA tank wagons. The company is demonstrating its confidence in the technology and plans to equip 35 new wagons, which are currently in the procurement phase, with the same system. In addition to Heidelberg Materials, leading UK rail transport players such as Breedon Group, Tarmac and Alvance British Aluminium have also ordered the FreightControl Sentinel system for a total of 104 wagons in various configurations. This strong demand clearly demonstrates the interest in digitalisation in the UK rail market and the high potential of Knorr-Bremse in this area.
New Standards with Digitalization
Knorr-Bremse aims to set new standards in rail transport management with its digital solutions such as FreightControl Sentinel and the iWagon platform. The iWagon system not only increases safety, but also significantly reduces maintenance costs by reducing equipment wear. Thanks to real-time data monitoring and analysis, operators can manage their wagon fleets more efficiently, optimize logistics processes and reduce operational costs. This initiative by Knorr-Bremse significantly accelerates the digital transformation of the UK rail sector, contributing to the creation of a safer, more efficient and more sustainable transport system.
