According to estimates by the United Nations, about two thirds of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050 [1]. Since urbanization is one of the most important global trends, Metro and Light Rail transportation systems are becoming increasingly important. While Metro systems run largely underground, Light Rail systems run primarily on street surfaces and they are also lower capacity and lower speed than Metro systems. Both aid social and economic development as well as also help to reduce traffic congestion. Moreover, they improve environmental conditions. All these aspects make them an essential component of the urban mobility of the future.

Asian countries such as China and Singapore are at the forefront of this development: In Asian countries alone, the investment volume for Metro and Light Rail projects amounts to an impressive USD 920 billion between 2019 and 2025 [2]. Due to increasing urbanization and the obvious advantages offered by these modes of transportation, this trend is likely to intensify significantly in the coming years.

As part of DB Engineering & Consulting, we operate in more than 130 countries and across all modes of transport. Thus, we can offer you valuable insights from both a theoretical as well as operational viewpoint. Since urban rail transport is one of our specialties, we have been involved in the establishment of a training institution in this field, the DB DLG Rail Academy in Dalian, China.

Examples of Our Course Offer

What do operators of urban public rail transportation need to consider when designing, constructing, and operating a safe and reliable metro or light rail system? What are the system requirements and operational procedures? Find out with our trainings. 

1. 1. Basic Training Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC)
2. 2. Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) Fundamentals
3. 3. Certification as Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) Expert
4. 4. Principles of Bogie Technology
5. 5. Principles of Metro System
6. 6. The Inner Workings of Metro Systems
    

Rail infrastructure is one of the fundamental components of railway systems. It refers to the physical network of tracks, stations, signaling systems, bridges, tunnels and other related structures that enable the operation of trains.

Due to its being an efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport, rail transportation has recently seen a worldwide renaissance. Accordingly, many countries, including China, India and the member states of the European Union, have begun to allocate substantial funds to expand and modernize their infrastructure in the coming years [3].

The High-Speed Rail sector in particular has seen considerable growth in recent years – a trend that is sure to continue in the near future. Thus, the EU has declared that it aims to triple High-Speed Rail traffic by 2050 in order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality [4]. According to a recent feasibility study by DB experts, this could mean expanding the European High-Speed Rail network by 32,000 kilometers until 2050.

Deutsche Bahn operates and maintains more than 33,000 km of railway tracks, over 5,000 passenger stations, as well as 25,000 bridges and 65,000 railway switches and crossings. This is not only the largest railway network in Europe, but also one of the largest in the world.

Examples of Our Course Offer

What are fundamental principles of rail systems and how do its various components interact to guarantee efficient and safe rail operation? What are important operational rules? How are different vehicles constructed? How do signaling systems such as ETCS or CBTC work? Find the answers to these questions and more in our courses.

1. 1. Components of Rail Infrastructure & Maintenance
2. 2. Cost in Railway Projects
3. 3. ETCS Fundamentals
4. 4. Principles of Signaling in System Rail
5. 5. Rail System Engineering
6. 6. Railroad Track Construction
7. 7. The Railway System: Concepts & Definitions

Keeping timetables and ensuring railway operations run smoothly are key objectives for rail operators as these factors directly affect customer satisfaction. Maintenance is a key issue here: Trains require special facilities for storage and maintenance, and regular inspections help to identify and eliminate potential safety hazards. By keeping the infrastructure and rolling stock in good condition, the risk of accidents, derailments, and other incidents can be significantly reduced – which, in turn, helps improve reliability and efficiency.

Deutsche Bahn’s maintenance practices adhere to the highest standards to ensure safety, reliability, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction. Our vehicles are maintained by highly experienced staff at our state-of-the-art maintenance facilities, some of which are even climate neutral. There, we focus not only on general inspections and accident repairs, but also on predictive maintenance.

Examples of Our Course Offer

What are central challenges in terms of the reliability and management of rolling stock? How can faults be detected or, better yet, prevented to avoid costly repairs and delays? Which legal requirements must be fulfilled in railway operations? How are timetables for train services created? Find out the answer to these questions and more in our courses.  

1. 1. Automated Train Operation 
2. 2. ETCS Fundamentals – European Train Control System
3. 3. Principles of Railway Operation I
4. 4. Principles of Railway Operation II
5. 5. Principles of Railway Operation
6. 6. Successful with Railway RAMS – Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety

Ensuring a safe and risk-free railway system is critical for long-term success. A good understanding of relevant regulations and how to embed legal requirements into business processes is therefore essential. Functional safety is also an issue in this context: As rail technology becomes increasingly complex, the risk of the faulty behavior of railway equipment and systems is increasing. For this reason, employees must have a good understanding of how various components of the rail system, including hardware and software, interact.

Deutsche Bahn is committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers and employees. As Germany’s national railway company, it places a high priority on maintaining a safe and secure environment for using its services. Thus, it adheres to strict safety standards and regulations set by the government and regulatory authorities such as the Federal Railway Authority.

Examples of Our Course Offer

What are key safety regulations and how can they be integrated into company processes? What are the basic principles of Railway RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety) analysis? How should emergencies be handled? Our training courses cover topics such as management systems as well as process and safety management in the railway business. 

1. 1. Fundamentals of RAMS - Reliability, Availability, Maintenance & Safety
2. 2. Management Systems & Process Management I
3. 3. Online Training Management Systems & Process Management II
4. 4. Training Safety Management in Railway Business – Legal Basics
5. 5. Specification and Proof of RAMS – Reliability, Availability, Maintenance & Safety
6. 6. Trial Operation Fundamentals
    

“Rolling stock” is a term used to refer to all rail vehicles used for the transportation of passengers or goods. As the backbone of railway transportation, these vehicles are essential for the functioning of the entire railway network. It is therefore of the utmost importance that they are well maintained and meet strict safety and reliability standards.

With a rolling stock exceeding 110,000 vehicles, Deutsche Bahn has experience with the management and maintenance of various types of vehicles, whether it be locomotives, electric multiple units, high speed trains, passenger coaches or freight cars. By 2030, DB will invest a record EUR 19 billion to modernize and expand its vehicle fleet, thus increasing capacities and becoming even more customer- and climate-friendly [5].


Examples of Our Course Offer

Which legal and technical requirements must be observed when operating rollig stock? How can weaknesses and faults be prevented in order to avoid costly repairs and delays? What are principal elements of rolling stock and how do the individual components interact? Learn the basics of vehicle technology as well as fundamentals of electric and electronic engineering. Here are 3 of our courses:

1. 1. Fundamentals of Railway Brake Technology
2. 2. Rolling Stock Fundamentals
3. 3. Fundamentals of Rail Electrical & Power Engineering

Technology today is more than just mechanical or civil engineering; the digital revolution has created more demand than ever for computer-based products and solutions in the mobility and railway industry. Keeping up to date with digitalization and implementing new technologies is vital in the workplace because it enables companies to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This is especially true for the railway industry as digital technologies offer crucial advantages that help companies gain a competitive edge.

The digital and technical strategy of Deutsche Bahn is designed to develop an ultra-smart mobility network by 2030 – connected, automated and customer-oriented. As part of the Digitale Schiene Deutschland, the infrastructure is being modernized and digitalized. This together with automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are key to a higher capacity and optimal utilisation of the rail network.

Examples of Our Course Offer

What are the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in rail operations? How can Big Data Analytics be used for predictive maintenance to increase asset reliability and availability? How can you implement digitalization strategies in your company? Find out with our courses.

1. 1. AI for Railways: Let Machines Learn for You
2. 2. Blockchain in the Rail Industry
3. 3. Chat Bots & Voice Solutions
4. 4. Core Technologies of Digital Railways I
5. 5. Core Technologies of Digital Railways II
6. 6. Digital Customer Experience for Railways
7. 7. Digital Rail Manager
8. 8. Digitalization of Rail Assets
9. 9. Foster Digital Innovation at your Rail Company
10. 10. Immersive Technology for Railways: Different Realities to Increase Efficiency
11. 11. Internet of Things: Making Rail Companies Smarter
12. 12. Lean versus Agile Management in Passenger Transport
13. 13. Rail Companies in the Digital Age
14. 14. Video & Image Analytics: Digital Eyes on the Rail Assets

The worldwide need for affordable and high-quality public transport is on the rise: According to a report issued by the International Energy Agency, passenger transport volumes are expected to double by the year 2050 [6].

This future expansion of public transport is convenient for customers and it also offers decisive advantages from the point of view of sustainability: Not only is it much more energy-efficient than individual transport, but it also contributes to reducing CO2 emissions as well as air pollution. This last point seems all the more relevant when one considers that the transport sector is currently responsible for ca. 25 per cent of global CO2 emissions resulting from fuel combustion [6].

As one of the biggest mobility providers in the world, Deutsche Bahn has longstanding experience with transport planning across all transport modes. Thus, DB does not only operate a large rail-based passenger transport network, but also owns a bus fleet comprising more than 25,000 vehicles.

Examples of Our Course Offer

Learn how different modes of transport can be combined to form an integrated and economically successful public transport system. Which legal regulations must be observed during the planning phase? How can you look at the mobility chain from a customer-oriented perspective? Find out with our courses.

1. 1. Strategic Transport Planning
2. 2. Technology and Trends in Innovation – Transport Systems
3. 3. Tender or not to Tender – Governance of Urban and Regional Bus Networks
4. 4. The Transport Regulatory Framework
5. 5. Transport Planning & Design
6. 6. Transport Policy & Legislation
7. 7. Understanding Travel Behavior – Transport Policy and Planning
8. 8. Workshop: How to Govern Smart Mobility Services

Business know-how is the knowledge and ability to run things smoothly within a company. It is necessary to ensure things run smoothly within your company.

It also goes hand in hand with soft skills, which are not inherent abilities but vital in the business world as they enable you to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Applying the right skills and techniques will help achieve success in business and can provide your company with a competitive advantage.

As one of the world’s leading companies in the transport and mobility sector, Deutsche Bahn has built up expertise in all aspects of managing a successful railway business. In view of the current shortage of skilled workers, DB has also gathered experience with change management processes to be able to meet the needs and requirements of new employees. In this context, our wealth of intercultural knowledge gained through our presence in over 140 countries helps us to accommodate the needs of international clients and employees.

Examples of Our Course Offer

What are the specific requirements in Railway Project Management? How can changes be implemented and how should they be communicated? What are strategies to deal with VUCA forces in the railway industry? Our trainings in this area support you and your employees to develop key management skills and soft skills to aid and improve your business as well as to enhance careers.

1. 1. Advanced Quality Management Tools
2. 2. Economics in Railway Business
3. 3. From Quality Management to Agile Quality Management
4. 4. Understanding and generating benefit from iMS
5. 5. Leadership & strategy for rail in the digital age: Innovations
6. 6. Leadership & strategy for rail in the digital age: Strategy
7. 7. Management Systems in Rail Organizations I
8. 8. Management Systems in Rail Organizations II
9. 9. Quality Management Tools for Everyone
10. 10. Senior Management Program – SMP
11. 11. Using Canvas-Techniques to Deploy Company Strategy