Digitalized Rail Transport and Operations

DownloadDownload

In the department Digitalized Rail Transport and Operations, we develop and evaluate innovative technologies for a future-proof rail system – digital, robust, economical and sustainable.

The railway network in Germany and Europe is facing major challenges: It needs to accommodate more traffic and become more reliable at the same time – without being able to rely on a comprehensive expansion or new construction of the infrastructure. Our research therefore focuses on solutions that create the greatest possible added value on the existing network.

Our aim is to further develop today's railway system, which has evolved over decades, and make it fit for the requirements of the future. To this end, we are researching practical technologies and operating concepts that will make rail transport more efficient, more flexible and more resistant to disruption.

A central component of our work is the development of digital images of the railway system, in particular the rail infrastructure – so-called digital twins.

We take a holistic and harmonised approach to various key topics. By using standardised methods, we are able to present changes comprehensively, evaluate them in a comprehensible manner and answer complex optimisation questions.

This enables us to make well-founded statements about the condition, availability and requirements of the rail infrastructure – based on a solid and always up-to-date database.

Our focal points at a glance:

  • Research and evaluation of new technologies for the existing railway network
  • Methods for embedded condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, especially of infrastructure
  • Evaluation of operational concepts and incidents for passenger and freight transport as well as operational and planning measures
  • Data management concepts, systems and architectures, especially in the field of sensor and geodata (e.g. for the creation and provision of high-precision maps)
  • Development of digital twins and trusted, federated data rooms for the analysis and optimisation of rail operations
  • Technology transfer to an economically viable and sustainable railway system (e.g. based on cost-benefit calculations)
  • Collaboration with other specialist departments for integrated mobility solutions

Current projects from the department:

Loading

Videos from the department:

Loading

Research services from the department:

Loading

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Christian Meirich

Acting Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Transportation Systems
Digitalized Rail Transport and Operations
Lilienthalplatz 7, 38108 Braunschweig