MONITOR Project: Rail Freight Revolution by RLE (SNCF) & Digital Monitoring

Introduction

Rail Logistics Europe (SNCF Group), Wabtec, and Régie des Transports Métropolitains launched the MONITOR project in 2023 to improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of rail freight operations. The project, funded by the French State as part of the France 2030 programme operated by ADEME, aims to optimize train operations through real-time data and digital monitoring.

Digital Monitoring and Operational Challenges

The rail freight industry faces challenges related to safety, competitiveness, and environmental impact. Many procedures remain manual and labor-intensive, such as the brake test, which is mandatory before every train departure. These methods are time-consuming and limit efficiency, punctuality, and competitiveness against road haulage. Traditional visual inspections have limitations, as illustrated by the 2023 Gotthard Base Tunnel accident, which highlighted the need for embedded diagnostics and continuous monitoring.

The MONITOR Project: Technical Aspects

The MONITOR project is designed to enhance both service quality and operational safety in rail freight. It will equip freight wagons with onboard sensors connected to control units, communicating wirelessly with a central LCU. The system will automate brake tests and provide continuous monitoring of brake systems, vibration patterns, and axle conditions. The project is structured around five operational use cases: digital brake tests, in-transit brake anomaly detection, wagon vibration monitoring, axle monitoring, and automatic train composition verification.

Benefits of the MONITOR System

MONITOR is a strategic lever for making European rail freight safer, more competitive, and more sustainable. It automates manual procedures, introduces continuous diagnostics, and enables earlier anomaly detection, delivering operational, economic, environmental, and social benefits. The system improves punctuality, reduces immobilizations, and enhances safety and reliability. Economically, MONITOR strengthens rail freight competitiveness by reducing external costs and generating time savings. Environmentally, it contributes to Europe’s Green Deal objectives by optimizing operations and avoiding incidents. Socially, MONITOR strengthens the systemic competitiveness of rail freight, narrowing the gap with road transport by cutting costs, saving time, and improving safety.

Implementation and Future Prospects

The MONITOR technology will be tested on a limited number of wagons in real-world conditions in 2026 to validate the system’s robustness and demonstrate its benefits. Across the rail industry, there is a growing consensus that safety must be secured through embedded diagnostics and continuous, data-driven monitoring. With MONITOR, Rail Logistics Europe is introducing a technological building block towards safer, smarter, and more competitive rail freight. The project addresses the industry’s need to offer a lower-carbon alternative and improve service quality to attract new volumes.

Conclusion

The MONITOR project, spearheaded by Rail Logistics Europe (SNCF Group), aims to transform rail freight through digital monitoring. This initiative, supported by the France 2030 program, focuses on enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The project will involve the deployment of sensors on freight wagons, automating essential procedures and providing real-time data analysis. The goal is to improve operational performance and competitiveness while contributing to environmental objectives, with real-world testing planned for 2026. This initiative addresses the industry’s need to offer a lower-carbon alternative and improve service quality to attract new volumes.

Rail Logistics Europe (SNCF Group)

Rail Logistics Europe (SNCF Group) is a company focused on rail freight, aiming to enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of rail operations. They are leading the MONITOR project, a digital initiative to optimize train operations through real-time data.

Wabtec

Wabtec is one of the companies involved in the MONITOR project. However, the source material does not provide any detailed information about Wabtec.

Régie des Transports Métropolitains

Régie des Transports Métropolitains is one of the companies involved in the MONITOR project. However, the source material does not provide any detailed information about Régie des Transports Métropolitains.

ADEME

ADEME, or the French Agency for Ecological Transition, operates the France 2030 programme.

France 2030 programme

The France 2030 programme, operated by ADEME, funds projects like MONITOR.

HMI

HMI stands for Human Machine Interface, through which the system interfaces with the driver.

LCU

LCU stands for central control unit, the brain of the system.