Digitalization of the rail system for greater rail transport capacity

A comprehensive program of innovation and infrastructure implementation projects

The Digital Rail for Germany (German: DSD) program aims to fundamentally modernize and digitalize the control and safety technology in Germany on the basis of an extensive roll-out of digital interlocking systems, European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 without signals and the integrated control and operating system. It began in 2020 with the “starter package”. The second stage of DSD, known as DBS, sees automated trains running at shorter intervals on the basis of sensor technology, highly available communication networks and artificial intelligence.

In addition to increasing the capacity of the rail network by up to 35% without building new tracks, digitalization will also make a significant contribution to greater reliability due to the significantly lower need for maintenance-intensive “hardware” (such as the removal of signals). Furthermore, rail operations are also expected to become much more flexible in order to provide on-demand train services. A system architecture is used to detail what individual components of the rail system need to do and how they should work together. On this basis, numerous digital technologies are then tested and further developed for use in the rail system.

quattron supports the development and roll-out of DSD in many projects:

• Development of operational-technical targets for DSD
• ETCS feasibility studies for the S-Bahn in Stuttgart and Munich
• Digital Rail Hamburg
• Railway operational IP network
• Design integrated console (DIC)
• Development of ETCS Level 2 specifications
• Interlocking bridging program
• High-speed program
• Introduction of FRMCS
• Industrialized roll-out of the operating sites
• System integration of the Stuttgart digital node
• TMS/ATO benefit assessment, development of cross-trade requirements

Furthermore, studies were carried out on the subject of infrastructure sizing (particularly switch energy supply, radio cells, RBC), taking into account fallback levels, capacity effect of the high-performance network were presented, and network-wide assessments were conducted to determine the benefits of various DSD roll-out scenarios. As part of the project, quattron also prepared and moderated workshops with industry representatives to analyze existing and future technologies with an emphasis on performance/rail operation (as part of the “accelerated roll-out project”).