ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, in partnership with Identec Solutions, has commissioned a fully automated monitoring system for temperature-controlled containers at the Wolfurt freight terminal in Austria.
The installation marks a move towards enhancing rail’s role in sustainable freight transport.
The system, known as Reefer Runner, enables continuous digital monitoring of refrigerated containers on-site.
The new facility powers up to 54 reefer units and transmits operational and temperature data wirelessly to a central system.
Operators can monitor container conditions in real time, 24/7, from the terminal’s control centre.
The system sends automatic alerts when temperatures fall outside set ranges, protecting cold chain integrity.
ÖBB is rolling out the system in phases, with plans for further expansion. It offers shippers in Vorarlberg, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein a rail-based alternative to long-distance truck transport via German terminals.
READ: Haeger&Schmidt provides Rhine barges with Identec Solutions 5G technology
Wolfurt is the first terminal in Europe to implement Reefer Runner, which Identec Solutions positions as a scalable model for other facilities across the continent.
The system supports both in-transit monitoring and short-term storage of reefer containers, increasing operational flexibility, particularly during weekends or delays.
Located near IDENTEC SOLUTIONS’ headquarters in Lustenau, the Wolfurt terminal has enabled practical, on-site testing of the technology.
The project aligns with EU objectives to shift freight from road to rail, aiming to reduce emissions and road congestion.
