The saving potential to be achieved by driving advice systems in freight operation cannot be given in a general fashion due to the strong dependence on the following factors:

• Traffic density and degree of demixing of the network
• Type of freight operation (transporting mixed goods with frequent stops vs. trains with homogeneous mass goods on A-to-B relations with no intermediate stops)
• Integration of control centre level to take into account traffic situation

For most European railways the saving potential of current driving advice systems is expected to be well below 5%. This could change dramatically as soon as an integration of the control centre level is achieved.

In principle, coasting and other energy efficient driving strategies are very promising for freight trains, since the potential for regenerative braking in freight operation is very limited.