Operations and production
Digitalization of production
Digital production network
The digital production network (DPV) is driving the transformation of DB Group towards end-to-end digital production. Increasing punctuality is a key objective. The DPV has already made some progress: the functional and technical framework for future digital rail production has been significantly further developed and the networking of content and people in the DPV has been successfully strengthened. One example of this is DB Lightgate, which records the capacity utilization of trains in real time and then displays this data at the subsequent stations. This provides passengers and operational teams with up-to-date information on car capacity utilization. A total of 98 installations were added to the Hamburg S-Bahn (metro) network in 2024.
New IT solution to reduce weather-related disruptions
In view of the increase in climate-related weather extremes and the resulting challenges posed by weather-related disruptions to rail operations, we have brought together various weather applications. Since October 2024, the new software and the supply of data from a specialized meteorological service provider have provided all business units with comprehensive, needs-based weather information as a central tool to facilitate the best possible level of information before, during and after a difficult weather situation. The data is to be increasingly integrated directly into DB Group’s IT systems and processes to improve management and decision-making processes in the event of severe weather conditions.
Digital application for vehicle movement control track change
Control track change (Steuerung Gleiswechsel; STG) is a digital application for mapping operational communication processes and vehicle movements, which is used as an app and Web application. This allows employees in operations at all times to see track occupancy and vehicle movements in real time, make decisions more quickly and significantly simplify the communication effort. STG plays a central role in optimizing operational processes, especially vehicle provision.
Information security
Information security is a priority given an increasingly interconnected global environment and the rapid progress of digitalization. It is essential for companies to recognize information risks in good time, establish countermeasures and react quickly and decisively to incidents. Our top priority is to protect our information technology (IT, such as apps for customers) and operational technology (OT, such as control software in switches) infrastructure for the future. The Management Board has delegated the tasks and powers associated with information security to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of DB Group. The CISO is thus responsible to the Management Board for DB Group’s information security and reports directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO)/Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of DB Group and the Management Board. Key responsibilities entail further developing information security in DB Group and developing a permanent information security culture. This includes establishing future-oriented processes, measures and solutions based on internationally recognized, workable standards that apply to new and existing IT/OT projects. All service providers working with DB Group must also guarantee firmly defined security requirements. National and international networking is also a core task, particularly in European rail transport. Examples include cooperation with the Swiss Federal Railways SBB, large German DAX companies and organizational units of the German Armed Forces.
Artificial intelligence in capacity management
We want to use AI specifically where it can make DB Group better – more punctual trains, faster and more precise information for customers, more reliable quality. AI is used as early on as the scheduling and smart control of transport and extends right through to the digitalization of maintenance.
Following the pilot phases, we now want to move on to the actual implementation and widespread use of AI. The objective is to connect the dots to form an intelligent network and implement pilot projects quickly, in a standardized manner and across all business units. The establishment of a central AI factory supports this goal, in addition to the existing initiatives.
Positive aspects were realized in 2024 through intelligent capacity management, which is a combination of tools in the areas of scheduling, rail operations and ex-post analyses of operations. The ex-post analyses of rail operations to identify and quantify drivers of unpunctuality should enable the identification of drivers of delay. This should provide a detailed, complete view of the drivers of unpunctuality as a basis for increasing the ability to manage by deriving suitable countermeasures.
Short-term changes in operating processes and disruptions lead to operational scheduling situations that vary from the planning and can lead to capacity conflicts. DB InfraGO wants to counter these conflicts with the automatic dispatching support system ADA-PMB (automatic dispatching assistance based on the production model operation), which supports dispatchers in selected areas with a non-discriminatory solution using AI.
The AI dispatch application, developed in our AI factory and currently in pilot operation, supports control center dispatchers on the Stuttgart, Rhine-Main and Munich S-Bahn (metro) lines, helping them to manage transport as efficiently as possible in the event of a disruption. This can result in a significant improvement in the tightly timed S-Bahn (metro) network. As part of the pilot project, AI dispatch is being continually developed to take further influencing factors into account in scheduling. There are also plans to extend the service to other S-Bahn (metro) lines, e.g. in Berlin. An initial pilot from April to December 2024 with regional and long-distance transport on the Rhine Valley rail line provided insights for further uses of the application. AI dispatch processes the current operating situation in a matter of seconds on the basis of about 500 pieces of information per minute and generates suggestions for the control center dispatchers. The application continually simulates the development of the traffic situation on the basis of live operations and reports potential conflicts at an early stage. This allows the dispatchers to intervene before a delay occurs. A new front end was introduced in 2024 to provide better support for dispatchers. In addition, the pilot group was expanded to over 50 dispatchers, and the integration of construction site data and the possibility of line closures were implemented to improve the suggestions for dispatchers.
AI is also used with respect to passenger information: using machine learning and big data technology, we have trained an algorithm to predict when, where and why trains generate delays. Every day, about 150 million forecasts are generated for about 20,000 journeys already, which are communicated via channels such as the DB Navigator. AI also automatically analyzes customer feedback received through various channels such as QR codes on trains, the DB Navigator or the ICE portal. The feedback is filtered in real time, sorted by topic and forwarded to the train personnel and employees at the facilities as quickly as possible. This enables quicker and more targeted reactions.
In maintenance, we use AI for tasks such as to visually identify damages at DB Long-Distance, DB Regional and DB Cargo.
Conversion to SAP S/4HANA platform
As part of the Argo program, DB Group has set itself the goal of migrating all existing SAP R/3 systems to the SAP S/4HANA platform as well as optimizing processes and systems with the aim of maximizing the use of the SAP standard. Many SAP systems that enable different work processes – from reporting and accounting to maintenance – are being converted.
In 2024, we made further progress:
- The warehouse management system SAP EWM (Extended Warehouse Management) was introduced at three further maintenance depots. The SAP EWM system should facilitate the achievement of improved materials management, faster processes and greater transparency in the warehouse.
- The first technical migration was implemented with the Group system SAP BW (Business Warehouse).
- A comprehensive process map was developed for the area of vehicle maintenance. This forms the basis for the design of a new maintenance platform and is also aimed at implementing overarching standards in our processes.