Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Alstom have conducted the first operational test of remote control of an S-Bahn train in a real depot environment in Germany. The demonstration, carried out in Munich, marks a first for a customer-operated S-Bahn train as part of a project to digitize railway operations.
The test consisted of remotely moving a passenger train from an operations center on a working line in the depot.
The aim is to increase the efficiency of shunting operations, reduce downtime, and optimize the work of the personnel involved in these processes.
Faster and more efficient shunting in depots
According to Alstom, the solution effectively brings the driver’s console to a remote control center, allowing the train to be controlled without physical presence in the driver’s cab.
The technology is designed from the outset with an industrial perspective and can be applied to both existing and newly built trains.
“This technology simplifies every movement in the depot and significantly increases the efficiency of operations. The collaboration with Deutsche Bahn and the trust placed in us for this test is an important step towards the future of railway shunting,” said Aymeric Sarrazin, President of Digital & Integrated Systems at Alstom.
Harmen van Zijderveld, member of the DB Management Board responsible for regional transport, emphasized the practical impact of the solution: “Remote train shunting can reduce the workload of our employees and significantly speed up processes in depots. In just four months, we put the test system on the rails, from the local 5G network to the control center and the equipment installed on the train.”
Architecture adapted to existing trains
To connect the train to the remote operations center, Alstom used a flexible architecture capable of linking the train’s existing control systems (TCMS) to a standardized interface for remote operation.
In practice, the solution “translates” the data and commands of older trains into a format compatible with the new digital systems.
During the test in Munich, the train was additionally equipped with cameras and sensors so that the remote operator could have a complete picture of the environment in the depot.
The approach is applicable to several series of Alstom trains widely used in Germany, including the BR423, BR430, BR442, BR490, and BR1440, totaling several hundred units in operation.
A step toward digitized depots
The test conducted with Deutsche Bahn is an important step towards the development of a possible prototype and paves the way for faster, safer, and more efficient depot operations.
Remote control could reduce unnecessary staff travel, optimize workflows, and contribute to the digitization of existing assets without the need to replace fleets.
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