On track for the future

The transport transition and climate change are driving forces behind the Digitale Schiene Deutschland initiative. Increasingly, passengers and freight are to be carried by rail in the future; however, much of Germany’s railway infrastructure is in need of refurbishment and based on outdated technology. The rail network is reaching its limits, resulting in delays and train cancellations.

The mission of Digitale Schiene Deutschland is to enhance the performance—and in particular the capacity of the existing rail system through technological innovation. Digital signalling and control technology, featuring the Europe-wide standard train control system ETCS and digital interlockings, together with an artificial intelligence-based traffic management system, form the new technological pillars of the digital railway.