On 20 November 2025, the official kick-off meeting of the European Pioneer DAC Train (PioDAC) project took place in Copenhagen, held within the framework of the High-Level Freight Meeting 2025. The project, co-financed by the EU through the CEF instrument, represents a key step towards the introduction of the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC) in European rail freight transport. The event was part of the annual CER and UIC meeting, which brings together leading representatives of the European rail freight sector.
Among the key project partners, the Prometni Institut Ljubljana plays an important role. With its professional expertise and long-standing experience in the railway sector, the institute contributes to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the extensive DAC testing phase. Together with its partner SŽ–Tovorni promet, the institute will receive EUR 3 million in grants within the PioDAC project, dedicated to technical, operational and research activities related to the introduction of DAC and the preparation of the Slovenian railway system for future modernisation.
An important stakeholder in the project is also SEESARI (South-East Europe Strategic Alliance for Rail Innovation), which promotes the development of the railway sector in South-East Europe and strengthens the region’s integration into European technological and innovation frameworks.
Over the next 36 months, PioDAC will conduct testing of DAC-equipped trains in real operational conditions: in cross-border traffic, at marshalling yards, on industrial sidings and in various infrastructural and climatic environments across Europe. The goal of this phase is to gather reliable operational data that will support final decisions on the mandatory implementation of DAC on the European freight corridors.
The kick-off meeting in Copenhagen demonstrated that Europe is entering a decisive phase in the modernisation of rail freight transport. DAC is a breakthrough technology that will significantly enhance the efficiency, safety and competitiveness of rail logistics. The participation of the Prometni Institut Ljubljana, SŽ–Tovorni promet and SEESARI confirms that Slovenia is actively involved in key European development projects and is contributing to the introduction of one of the most important innovations in the railway sector in recent decades.
More information about the event is available on the websites of CER and UIC:
High-Level Freight Meeting 2025 (Pictures)
