At the InnoTrans trade fair for rail and transport technology in Berlin, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will be providing insights into rail transport research projects from September 24 to 27. These include an "NGT taxi," a high-tech railbus offering potential for disused railway lines.
With the "NGT Taxi," the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing a concept for a small, lightweight, efficient, and modular rail vehicle. It is intended to operate automatically, primarily on secondary lines, powered by either batteries or fuel cells. This could improve connectivity, especially in rural areas, in the future. The abbreviation NGT stands for Next Generation Train. With this term, the DLR summarizes its concepts and technologies for the rail transport of tomorrow.
The NGT family already includes concepts for high-speed rail as well as for feeder and freight transport. It incorporates DLR's expertise in alternative propulsion systems, lightweight construction, sustainable materials, chassis, air conditioning, automation, and control engineering. Accordingly, the NGT taxi encompasses not only the vehicle itself, but also a novel operating concept and the signaling and safety technology within the infrastructure.
Modular design. Image: DLR
The NGT taxi's vehicle structure and drive concept are modular and can be flexibly adapted to specific requirements: The shortest variant is just under 10 meters long with twelve seats. The longest measures 17.5 meters and has 54 seats. This is made possible by vehicle modules that can be combined with one another. This allows for the cost-efficient production of larger quantities. The modular design also enables the construction of cost-effective vehicles for secondary lines. Both a regular, scheduled service and an on-demand service dependent on passenger volume are possible. At InnoTrans, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is showcasing 1:16 scale models of the NGT taxi concept and explaining operational aspects through presentations.
Also new is a model of a car body segment whose supporting structure is specifically designed to meet the requirements of alternative drive systems. A side wall is being demonstrated that is particularly lightweight thanks to geometric adjustments and a multi-material construction. This combines extruded aluminum profiles and sandwich components. This approach aims to improve the cost structure of alternative propulsion systems in the rail sector and make the rail industry even more sustainable. Alongside the 1:1 scale model, monitors illustrate the theoretical principles and provide insights into manufacturing processes and testing procedures.
Also on display is a model of a hybrid power pack for alternatively powered trains, a standardized and modular drive and energy architecture that combines a battery and fuel cell system. The modular design makes it easier to replace components, thus increasing the lifespan and therefore the sustainability of the power pack. The German Aerospace Center (DLR), together with international industrial partners, is investigating how this approach works in practice using a demonstration train. This train is operating in Spain as part of the FCH2Rail project.
Augmented Reality at the platform edge
The DLR booth at InnoTrans also provides insights into condition monitoring during operation using new sensor concepts and artificial intelligence methods. AI-based diagnostic procedures can help reduce malfunctions and lower maintenance costs. DLR is also working on test procedures and test facilities for faster and more cost-effective approval of innovative signaling and automation technology related to the European Train Control System (ETCS).
DLR is also showcasing radio modules for the autonomous coupling of individual wagons and entire trains. These enable safe and rapid communication and distance measurement between wagons and entire trains.
The energy consumption of trains is known to be influenced by air resistance. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has therefore created a generic, generally applicable train model to specifically study the aerodynamic effects of strong crosswinds and aerodynamic drag. This allows, for example, regional trains to be analyzed for their aerodynamics on a computer and compared with values measured in experiments.
Digital, data-driven tools and solutions play a crucial role. The focus is on the train station as the "transport hub of the future": For travelers, the station is the gateway to the rail system. How it functions, and the comfort and safety it offers, significantly influences people's perception and satisfaction. The exhibit "Overall Situation Overview at the Hub" demonstrates how travelers can be supported with personalized information. This information is displayed as an augmented reality (AR) overlay on a smartphone when it is pointed at the conventional departure board. The information includes, for example, the planned sequence of transport services and details that facilitate boarding, changing trains, and alighting.
At InnoTrans: Hall 2.2, Stand 440
