Research and Innovation

Digitalization and Automation
Networked Mobility and Interoperability
Safety and Cyber Security
Sustainability and Environmental Friendliness

Digitalization and Automation

Support the development of railway automation: development and testing of autonomous trains and fully automated operations

Implementation and testing of fully automatic train operation (ATO) technologies

Demonstration and further development of the fully automated shunting locomotive (e.g. VAL2020) as a step towards the fully automated train formation system

Test vehicles: equipping vehicles with innovative technology to test and demonstrate new solutions

Smart ticketing: development and deployment of automated ticketing and payment systems to improve the passenger experience

Implementation of smart maintenance (based on real-time data and predictive analytics) and automated inspection using drones and robots

Digital twins and simulation: developing HIL systems as digital twins of existing systems to simulate functionality and maintainability.

Networked Mobility and Interoperability

Development of vehicles and infrastructure components in accordance with the European TSI standards

Implementation of communication technologies for networking vehicles and infrastructure

Take over of development work in connection with the expansion of ETCS routes in Germany

ETCS retrofitting of existing vehicles of various ages, including adaptation developments for various interfaces

Development and modernization of digital interlockings to optimize train control and signaling technology

Development work in the area of digital railway infrastructure (intelligent sensors, IoT and big data, predictive maintenance)

Development work for fleet diagnostics (data analysis, remote monitoring, condition-based maintenance)

Safety and Cyber Security

Development and implementation of advanced safety mechanisms to support automated train operation

Ensuring operational safety through automated train monitoring systems and advanced collision avoidance technologies

Conducting safety assessments and tests to ensure safe automated shunting operations

Conducting safety assessments and testing new technologies under real operating conditions

Developing and implementing cyber security strategies to protect vehicles and infrastructure systems from digital threats

Use of modern encryption technologies and secure communication protocols to secure data transmission

Use of artificial intelligence to detect and defend against cyber-attacks, development of algorithms for intrusion detection systems in IT networks

Sustainability and Environmental Friendliness

Introduction of advanced energy management systems in railway operations (e.g. when using electric or battery-powered vehicles)

Research and development of propulsion systems based on hydrogen or battery storage systems as an alternative to fossil fuels

Introduction of fuel cell technologies with battery storage systems to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions

Implementation of energy efficient systems and technologies to reduce energy consumption

Use of technologies for recovering and storing braking energy (recuperation)

Further development of predictive maintenance as the maintenance strategy of the future for early detection and repair of wear and damage

Design and installation of measurement technology for automated diagnosis and monitoring of vehicle and infrastructure condition