GERMAN Rail (DB) and Alstom have completed the first deployment of a driverless S-Bahn train operating within a depot environment.
The trials were conducted with a modified DB class 423 EMU at DB’s Steinhausen depot in Munich. The train was driven from a workstation in a remote operations centre through a generic driving interface that can be applied to different train types, including DB’s Alstom-built class 430, 442, 490 and 1440 EMUs.
Alstom has developed an adaptable architecture that bridges legacy train control and monitoring systems (TCMS) with a modern, standardised interface for remote operation. This gateway assimilates the train’s existing TCMS, allowing operation of older vehicles, and transmits control and status information through harmonised interfaces to the remote operations centre. In the Munich trials, additional cameras and sensors installed on the train provided the remote operator with the situational awareness needed to perform shunting movements.
By employing the remote control technology, long walking distances for shunting staff can be reduced and shunting movements can be carried out more efficiently. The solution can also be installed on new trains.
DB says the trial deployment marks a significant step towards the development of a future prototype train and sets a milestone for efficient and digitally-enabled operations in depot environments.
“Shunting trains by remote control can reduce the workload for our employees and significantly speed up processes in our depots,” says Harmen van Zijderveld, DB board member for regional transport.
“In just four months, we have put the test system together, from the local 5G network to the control centre and the technology on the train. This proves that technical innovation can be realised with existing vehicles.”
