Digitalization and innovation
Passenger Information of the Future
As part of the renewal of the passenger information systems, a new central management and publication system (IRIS+) is being developed. In combination with the passenger information (Reisendeninformations; RI) platform, it will be used to provide passengers with information at the station. By the end of June 2021, 317 stations had been converted to the new system. As the passenger information system is renewed, new functions are constantly being implemented in the RI platform and IRIS+. In the first half of 2021, a new free-text function was introduced, which allows TOCs to provide individual information to passengers at the station, and a further fallback option in the event of data supply failures.
The software development for the next generation of dynamic visual display (DSAplus), the successor to the existing dynamic visual display, is moving forward with a view to a field test in the second half of 2021.
WIFI at stations
Through our new, free Internet services, we have launched a connected WiFi network, WIFI@DB. Some 141 stations, all DB Lounges, the entire ICE fleet, and the first regional trains and buses are already connected. We are continuously expanding our WiFi infrastructure.
Smart City at DB Netze Stations
The purpose of Smart City is to improve everyday life through smart and environmentally friendly offers, and we were able to take further innovative development steps in the first half of 2021:
- Dammtor station is the gateway to the Hamburg trade fair halls and thus also to the ITS World Congress 2021. We have furnished the central transfer tunnel from the platform to the trade fair halls and the historical displays in the concourse building with an audiovisual modern art installation.
- Since June 2021, we have been working on the forecourts at the Berlin-Charlottenburg and Cologne-Mülheim stations to improve the quality of stay for passengers thanks to our specially developed free-space kit – a combination of seats, a playing field for children and green islands as an urban plant laboratory.
- In cooperation with the Berlin district of Tempelhof-
Schöneberg, we are testing a new solution on the logistical last mile – our micro hub. In the course of sustainable urban site development, the micro hub, which is partially supported by the BMVI, serves as a central storage and distribution location. From there, the local distribution takes place emissions-free via e-bike ∫ no. 121 delivery.
New services at future stations
In 2020, we tested numerous new products and services together with our customers at 16 future stations ∫ no. 74 across Germany and further measures were also implemented in 2021. We wanted to find out how we could improve the quality of stay at our stations and increase customer satisfaction with a mix of different services. One example of this is the first fully automated 24/7 supermarket opened in cooperation with Edeka Südwest at a station in Renningen.
As a consolidation program, a central product development team works with site developers from the regions to implement successful products from future stations and Smart City at more than 50 other stations nationwide.