Digitalization and innovation

• Holistic station development: DB InfraGO is continuing to develop stations into stations of the future. The focus is on the comprehensive modernization of stations to enhance their appeal and performance capability. In 2024 and 2025, a total of 237 stations were upgraded to stations of the future. Progress in the first half of 2026 was on schedule with 67 stations.
• Development of the digitalization strategy and its connection to the BMV agenda: The digitalization of infrastructure is one of the top priorities in the “Agenda for Satisfied Rail Customers.” The digitalization strategy was restructured with a view to ensuring the systematic implementation of the digitalization of the infrastructure.
• Digital command: The digital command replaces the previously used written command in rail operations with a digital process. In the digital command system, commands are created digitally by traffic controllers, stored centrally and securely, and accessed by traction unit drivers using an access code and a mobile device. The digital command system has been in use nationwide on a voluntary basis since the 2026 schedule year. By the end of June 2026, over 120,000 digital commands had been issued and more than 90% of traffic controllers had been trained. Operational testing shows that the digital command system enables significantly faster and easier command transmission and noticeably reduces employee workload. The digital command is set to go into regular operation in the 2027 schedule year.
• ETCS migration: On July 2, 2026, DB InfraGO presented the updated planning status for the expansion of the European Train Control System (ETCS) at an information event. The event focused on the planned ETCS Level 2 without signals measures by December 2031, as well as information regarding a planned upgrade of the ETCS system version. In connection with this, information was provided regarding the planned decommissioning of the current intermittent automatic train control (punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung; PZB) and continuous train control (linienförmige Zugbeeinflussung; LZB) systems. The plan presented, which covers the period through the end of 2031, is intended to ensure planning and capital expenditure certainty for train operating companies, contracting organizations and other stakeholders within the regulatory deadlines for this period. In addition, the port-folio offers the opportunity to utilize the resources of the Federal Government’s newly established coordination office through 2031.
• ETCS implementation project – Ansbach-Triesdorf digital interlocking: As part of the Ansbach-Triesdorf ETCS implementation project, a new, modern digital interlocking went into operation on February 6, 2026. It replaces the two existing interlockings in Ansbach and Triesdorf, which date back to the 1960s. The interlocking is fitted with Bavaria’s first integrated control and operating system (integriertes Leit- und Bediensystem; iLBS) and sets new standards for the standardized operation of modern interlocking technology.
• Capacity and traffic management system: DB InfraGO made significant progress with the capacity and traffic management system (CTMS) in the first half of 2026. The aim of the system is to plan and manage train services even more effectively in the future. One key focus is the so-called autopilot for interlockings: it is designed to provide digital support for the cooperation between traffic management and interlocking technology and it will partially automate track preparation in the future. The technical requirements for this have largely been clarified and the contract is set to be awarded in the second half of the year. Another key focus is the CTMS optimizer. It is intended to help the scheduling team to identify appropriate measures more quickly in the event of faults or high utilization. Artificial intelligence helps to develop recommendations for improved traffic management. In the future, these recommendations are intended to increasingly be implemented automatically within the existing systems. Interfaces with tested driver assistance systems are also used for this purpose. In this way, a comprehensive digital support system is gradually being established, from the identification of suitable measures to their implementation in rail operations.
• Capacity and frequency management: A frequency management system to identify capacity bottlenecks is being rolled out at more than 90 stations. Real-time video monitoring allows for the early detection of increases in passenger volumes, enabling appropriate measures to be taken to prevent acute overcrowding. The video data is used to develop long-term measures or to verify their effectiveness. This helps to avoid costly construction projects. By the end of the first half of 2026, a total of 68 stations had been equipped with this video technology.
• WiFi at stations: By the end of the first half of 2026, free WiFi was available at more than 600 stations. Based on an additional concession agreement awarded in the second half of 2025, about 150 additional stations were equipped with WiFi in the first half of 2026.