DB Cargo AG · December 2025 to March 2026
Development and implementation of a pragmatic strategy to address restrictive conditions in the existing vehicle authorization that have thus far prevented the use of the DPS system in an additional area of use.
DB Cargo AG has successfully developed and tested a Distributed Power System (DPS) for operating two locomotives in multiple traction in a “sandwich configuration.” DPS enables operation without a driver on the pushing locomotive. The control signals are transmitted between the locomotives via radio communication.
This technology was first authorized in 2025 for use with the Class 185.2 locomotive in the area of use Germany and on the cross-border line between Kaldenkirchen (DE) and Venlo (NL). Due to restrictive operational conditions contained in the initial authorization, its use in Austria was not yet possible.
The subsequent introduction of DPS into regular operation in Germany proved highly successful for DB Cargo AG and generated customer demand for its deployment in Austria as well.
Source: DB Cargo AG
In line with the applicable regulatory requirements, quattron (formerly NEXTRAIL GmbH) developed a strategy for pragmatically removing the restrictive operational conditions from the existing initial authorization, thereby enabling operation in Austria. The objective was to agree on a process with the authorization authorities that would allow the existing authorization to be updated without the need for a new authorization procedure involving significant time and cost.
This strategy was presented to the involved authorization authorities, namely the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI). A subsequent and highly successful demonstration of this technology by DB Cargo AG in Austria provided evidence that no technical modifications were required to ensure safe operation on the ÖBB network. As a result, the authorization authorities approved the strategy proposed by quattron and removed the previous restrictions from the authorization. Consequently, this technology is now also available for deployment in Austria.
Key areas of service
- Developing and implementing a strategy to remove the restrictive conditions of use in the existing vehicle authorization without requiring a new authorization
- Communicating the strategy to the authorization authorities
Special features
The regulations governing the granting of vehicle type authorisation do not currently contain any precisely defined requirements for a process to amend or revoke non-coded conditions of use and restrictions in existing authorisations. It is therefore important in such cases that there is close coordination between the holder of the type authorisation and the authority.