Starter package
Increasing capacity throughout the European network without building new tracks
Digitale Schiene Deutschland is being launched to create uniform, digitally controlled train traffic throughout Europe. The European Train Control System (ETCS) is an essential building block for an interoperable, cross-border rail network.
Three projects were selected after McKinsey completed the feasibility study on the rollout of ETCS/digital interlockings (DSTW: Digitale Stellwerke) in autumn 2018; they have the potential to significantly increase capacity and quality within a few years. These projects form the starter package which is the gateway to Digitale Schiene Deutschland.
The starter package is expected to run until 2030 and aims to comprehensively digitalise rail lines through ETCS and DSTW. This will replace a lot of old systems, some dating back to the 19th century. The lessons learned in the starter package will be incorporated into the rollout of Digitale Schiene Deutschland to the entire German rail network.
Starter package projects
The following three projects are in the starter package:
- Scandinavia-Mediterranean Corridor (ScanMed) with adjoining DB Netz districts,
- Stuttgart digital node (DKS: Digitaler Knoten Stuttgart),
- Cologne–Rhine/Main high-speed line (SFS KRM: Schnellfahrstrecke Köln–Rhein/Main).
Route overview Starter Package Digitale Schiene Deutschland
Scandinavia-Mediterranean Corridor (ScanMed)
The ETCS rollout on the ScanMed Corridor will create an interoperable rail network in the heart of Europe to enable trans-European rail access. The Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor is one of a total of nine core corridors in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T Core Network Corridors) that form the central trans-European transport network of the European Union. It links major cities and economic areas in Germany and Italy with Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.
Upgrades on the German part of the corridor cover about 4,700 km of track and about 22,500 control units, as there are plans to upgrade systems in 20 DB Netz districts in addition to the main route. The main route of the ScanMed project deviates from the TEN corridor and runs from Hamburg via Magdeburg, Leipzig/Halle, Erfurt, Nuremberg and Munich to the Austrian border.
Stuttgart digital node (DKS)
Stuttgart digital node is the first project in Germany where Deutsche Bahn and its partners are rolling out digital control and safety technology (DLST: Digitale Leit- und Sicherungstechnik) at a major rail junction. DSTW, ETCS, automatic train operation with driver (ATO GoA 2) and other technologies will be installed successively on around 500 kilometres of rail lines in the greater Stuttgart area, including the entire current S-Bahn network as well as the new Stuttgart 21 infrastructure. Vehicles to be used in Stuttgart also need to be refitted. The first phase will see custom refitting work performed on 463 multiple units of the regional and S-Bahn fleet as well as numerous network maintenance vehicles. The operating regulations will also be improved. Stuttgart digital node is laying the essential groundwork and making an important contribution to the digitalisation of rail in Germany.
The node will demonstrate the potential for improvements in the capacity, quality and efficiency of rail operations.
Further information is available here.
Cologne–Rhine/Main high-speed line (SFS KRM)
The Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line with a route length of approx. 180 km and speeds of 300 km/h connects two major cities: Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. The line has 27 tunnels covering about 40 km and 18 bridges covering about 6 km. The starter package provides the perfect opportunity for a digital upgrade to its control and safety technology after 20 years of operation.
The high-speed line will be one of the first routes to be fully equipped with ETCS- and DSTW-technology. Deutsche Bahn will work with its partners, especially political and industry decision makers, to learn lessons for the rollout of Digitale Schiene Deutschland. This will involve adapting regulations, accelerating processes, and trialling field tests and procedures for starting up operations. Passengers will benefit from improved reliability and higher capacity in rail services.
