Photo: DB
Deutsche Bahn (DB) intends to significantly accelerate the expansion of its infrastructure. With track construction capacities exhausted, digitalization and the train control systems ETCS and ERTMS are expected to provide relief, with Stuttgart and the Rhine Valley corridor in particular benefiting from faster service intervals and an additional €1 billion.
In Berlin, an existing financing agreement for the digitalization of the railways has been increased from approximately €1.7 billion to approximately €2.7 billion. The funds now provided will be used, among other things, for the modernization and digitalization of the infrastructure on the Rhine-Alpine freight corridor. This main line, running from the Dutch North Sea ports to Italy, is to be equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The system will significantly facilitate cross-border train traffic in Europe. Currently, locomotives, unless already equipped with multi-system technology like those used by BLS Cargo, must be fitted with a variety of national safety systems. With ERTMS, this will no longer be necessary.
Furthermore, Deutsche Bahn (DB) intends to invest approximately €307 million in further planning for the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor (ScanMed). This European corridor, also crucial for freight transport, is slated to be fully equipped with ETCS (European Train Control System) between Denmark and Austria by the end of 2030. This involves a total of 4,500 kilometers of track. DB states that intelligently networked data from infrastructure and vehicles will enable it to "completely reorganize" operations on the rail network and create up to 35 percent more capacity. However, this target assumes that all existing technologies will be replaced by the new electronic control system.
A further 83 million euros are available for planning the third component of the Stuttgart Digital Hub. By 2030, train operations in the Stuttgart metropolitan area, extending beyond the termini of the S-Bahn lines, are to be controlled by digital technology. The core of the hub, along with the Stuttgart 21 project, will go into operation in 2025 using ETCS without signals – thus, it is said, the metropolitan region will assume a "global pioneering role".
Around eleven million euros in planning funds are earmarked for the Cologne–Frankfurt/Main high-speed rail line. By 2028, Deutsche Bahn (DB) plans to equip approximately 200 kilometers of track with ETCS and digital signal boxes. This step will ensure greater quality and efficiency in train operations. At the same time, it will allow for the complete replacement of failure-prone systems and older signal boxes.
www.bmdv.bund.de
