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In order to ensure efficient operation of freight vehicles, information about individual carriers and their freight during transportation must be available to different stakeholders of railway operation. Under the topic of an “intelligent freight car", this paper illustrates the use of sensors for instant detection and assessment of different conditions of vehicle movement and operation. Based on special railway requirements, concepts for flat spot detection, freight loading as well as shunting impacts are discussed. In addition, the paper outlines necessary telematics for positioning and communication, which are important for the implementation of compact telematics. The investigations took place as part of the research project Smart Rail Cargo (compact retrofittable telematics system for intelligent freight cars) within the framework of the funding program “Central Innovation Programme for SMEs" of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]