Deutsche Bahn (DB) is successively stepping up its deployment of digital technologies in vehicle planning, preparation and maintenance. One aim of this is to make travel simpler and more convenient for customers. In addition, planning of long distance services is becoming ever more challenging, for instance due to the increase in roadworks, and increasingly requires digital solutions.
To cope with this, DB is setting up a new digital production platform for its Long Distance division in conjunction with Berlin-based software firm IVU Traffic Technologies AG. It will be used to gather and process all operational information relevant to the deployment of long-distance trains. Based on this data, it will be possible to deploy trains and train personnel even more efficiently and manage them even more effectively in the future.
“The new platform marks a big step forwards for us in terms of standardisation and digitalisation of processes,” says Dr Philipp Nagel, Head of Production at DB Long Distance. “This allows us to speed up and improve our decision-making. Our customers rightly expect stable rail services, and we are laying the foundation for this with this platform.”
One major advantage of the new system is that the impacts of unexpected disruptions to operations can be identified and rectified more quickly. Furthermore, the modern integrated IT system will replace a host of IT applications currently in use.
IVU Traffic Technologies AG came out on top in a Europe-wide call for tenders. The basis of the new production platform is the standard product IVU.rail, which is already used by numerous railway operators worldwide.
“This order is one of the most important in IVU’s history. It underlines our position as a leading system supplier for railway operators,” said Martin Müller-Elschner, CEO of IVU AG. “Of course, we are particularly proud to now also support Deutsche Bahn with the efficient deployment of their trains and personnel in long distance transport.”
The first parts of the new platform will be tested in-use from the end of 2019. Train journeys planned with the new production platform will then start when the timetable changes in December 2020.
IVU Traffic Technologies has been working for over 40 years with more than 500 engineers to ensure punctual and reliable transport in the world’s metropolises. In growing cities, people and vehicles are constantly on the move – a logistical challenge that calls for intelligent and secure software systems. The integrated standard products of the IVU.suite work to plan, optimise and control the deployment of buses and trains, provide passengers with real-time information, create routes for parcel delivery services, and support businesses in choosing branch locations.
