RMD's load weight sensors have been installed on a four-axle Sgnss wagon for testing. Results showed high reliability both in terms of data communication and in detecting even small deviations in weight. Combined with RMD's shunting tool, the load weight sensor becomes a key component in ATD - Automatic Train Departures - where processes such as wagon declaration and train composition can be automated and reported directly to the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket).
The load weight sensor is an integral part of ATD - Automatic Train Departsures. When a freight train is set to depart, a wagon declaration must be prepared. This includes details such as wagon type, weight, and placement within the train, known as the "train composition" or "train consist".
The information is then reported to the Swedish Transport Administration via the Topas system. With RMD's load weight sensor and shunting tool, several of these steps can be automated. The shunting tool collects information about wagons in a single interface, regardless of source.
The AI support can even interpret handwritten documents. Weight is automatically registered by the sensor, and with drill-and-drop functionality, the train is digitally assembled. The data can then be sent directly from the system to Topas or to other solutions used by the operator.
This ensures that each train set has a correct declaration, track access charges are accurate from the outset, and shunting operations can be carried out far more efficiently. The result is reduced suspension travel, which significantly impairs stability during operation. RMD's new load weight sensor has now undergone extensive testing under real-world conditions.
The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity, detecting weight shifts as small as 100 kilos across the wagon's four wheelsets. The empty wagon weighs about 20 tons, and during testing it was loaded to its maximum capacity of about 66 tons (22.5 tons per axle). Radio range to the PMU connected to the sensor's control unit also performed satisfactorily.
This was achieved despite using only one PMU, instead of one per side as recommended. With the load weight sensor, RMD adds another system to its portfolio of safety-enhancing products, effectively addressing the derailment risks caused by imbalanced wagons. The load weight sensor and associated system will be available for sale from fourth quarter 2025, with deliveries starting in second quarter 2026.
Each installation consists of the load weight sensor with control unit, a PMU handling data communication, and the MyTrain app with an interface for visualizing the data. The sensor can be installed on all types of European wagons.
