Cologne–Rhine/Main high-speed line

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Most of the infrastructure projects are still in the planning phase, which means that the information provided on these pages reflects the current planning status and is updated regularly.

Alongside the Fast-Track Programme, the starter package marks the start of the rollout of Digitale Schiene Deutschland (DSD). With a target horizon of 2030, the routes will be equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) and digital interlockings (DSTW: Digitale Stellwerke) in three projects and thus comprehensively digitised. In this way, the technologies, some of which date back to the 19th century, will be replaced. The knowledge gained from the starter package will be incorporated into the rollout of DSD for the entire German rail network.

The Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line (2690) is one of the three projects in the starter package. With a route length of around 180 km and speeds of 300 km/h, it connects the two major cities Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. The route has 27 tunnels with a total length of around 40 km and 18 bridges with a total length of around 6 km. Twenty years after its construction, an upgrade is now due: the digitalisation of the control and safety technology (LST: Leit- und Sicherungstechnik).

The line will be equipped with ETCS level 2 without signals (ETCS L2oS). This includes the replacement of the three controlling Electronic Interlocking sub-centers (ESTW-UZ: Elektronische Stellwerke-Unterzentrale) in Troisdorf I, Montabaur and Frankfurt Airport long-distance train station with DSTW. The project also includes upgrading the telecommunications systems as well as the construction of the Troisdorf and Frankfurt II operational centers (BSO: Bedienstandort) and the Troisdorf and Limburg technical systems centers (TSO: Technikstandort), taking into account the Operations Control Strategy (BSS: Betriebssteuerungsstrategie).

The total length of track to be equipped with ETCS is around 173 km. Taking ETCS entry and exit points into account, approximately 200 kilometers of track are planned for implementation with ETCS. The installation of DSTW will lead to a further increase in the number of line kilometers to be equipped with ETCS, as it makes technical sense to equip entire sections with ETCS. In the Cologne network, sections of line that are not part of the Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line will therefore also be equipped with DSTW and will be equipped with ETCS as part of another project (Corridor Rhine-Alpine). In total, around 300 kilometers of track are to be equipped with DSTW and ETCS.

In future, the line will be controlled from two operational centers (BSO). The DSTW will be located at two technical systems centers (TSO). So the Cologne network will be controlled from the Troisdorf BSO and the Frankfurt network from the Frankfurt BSO. The technology will be located in Troisdorf and Limburg TSO. In this way, 1,237 control units, including 230 points, will be controlled from these locations.

The planning is currently (as at 01/2024) in preliminary design (HOAI phase 3). The LST-planning includes a block optimisation and the installation of track switching operation at all previously missing points within the route. The project planning is generally BIM-capable (BIM: Building Information Modeling), with digital planning also being used in the LST area. This means that the entire planning is mapped in virtual up to 5D-models. Start of construction work is scheduled to mid-2026. Commissioning is scheduled for December 2028.

The high-speed line will ultimately be one of the first routes to be fully equipped with ETCS and DSTW. Deutsche Bahn will gather experience for the further rollout of DSD with its partners, in particular politicians and industry: Regulations will be adapted, processes accelerated and operational trials and commissioning procedures tested. Passengers will benefit from greater reliability and more capacity.

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 of the starter package will be incorporated into the rollout of Digitale Schiene Deutschland to the entire German rail network.

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 and digital interlockings (DSTW: Digitale Stellwerke) in autumn 2018. The technologies 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 following two projects are part of the starter package in addition to the Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line (SFS KRM):

• Corridor Scandinavian-Mediterranean (ScanMed) with adjoining DB Netz districts
• Stuttgart Digital Node (DKS: Digitaler Knoten Stuttgart)