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Siemens Mobility, VGF advance Frankfurt metro with CBTC milestone
Siemens Mobility’s CBTC enables 30% more capacity, 25% energy savings, and smoother operation, with Frankfurt metro digitalization completed by 2033.
www.siemens.com
VGF and Siemens Mobility present milestone in track equipment with CBTC, photo source VGF
Semi-automated test runs with subway prototype for the Digital Train Control System Frankfurt
Over the past year, a metro prototype has been running on the test ring of the central urban train depot managed by the Frankfurt Transport Company (VGF). The tests are for one of the most important digitalization projects in Frankfurt am Main: the "Digital Train Control System Frankfurt" or DTC. The prototype, a converted "U5" type train, communicates continuously with the infrastructure in order to operate more quickly and efficiently. The tests are at "Grade of Automation 2" (GoA2) level, in which trains run partially automated yet require driver supervision.
More trains on the same track
Starting in 2027, VGF will gradually digitalize its current train control system. The trains will continuously communicate with the track infrastructure via radio. The “Communications-Based Train Control” (CBTC) technology enables a "moving block" system, which automatically maintains absolute braking distances between the trains rather than having them operate in inflexible block sections.
As a result, trains can run at shorter intervals, allowing VGF to significantly expand service offerings without having to modify or build new tracks or stations. The new system not only increases schedule precision and reliability but saves up to 25 percent energy. The technology also reduces vehicle and track wear and enhances passenger comfort by ensuring smoother acceleration and braking.
“I am pleased that the DTC digitalization project has reached this milestone, and we will now see in practice what we’ve been discussing in theory for years,” said Wolfgang Siefert, Head of Mobility. “This is good news for Frankfurt: The automated prototype tests show that the digital transformation can drive urban mobility. Specifically, DTC will make public transportation more efficient, reliable, economical, environmentally friendly, and even more comfortable,” he added.
Semi-automated test runs with subway prototype for the digital train control system Frankfurt, photo source VGF
Interaction between DTC und MIND(+)
Since Frankfurt’s metros also operate in part above ground, the seamless integration of road traffic engineering is essential for the project. Aiming to network its urban railways, trams, and road traffic consistently and intelligently, the city has thus closely integrated DTC with the urban project "Frankfurt MIND(+) (Multimodal, Intelligent, Sustainable, Digital)" that utilizes “C-ITS” (“Cooperative Intelligent Transport System”) technology. The interfacing between “CBTC” and “C-ITS” technologies was successfully tested for the first time on VGF’s test ring.
“We are pioneers here and the first transport company worldwide to connect these two technologies. For VGF, DTC is one of the most important innovation projects, and a technology with which we will be future-proof for years to come,” explained VGF Managing Director Steffen Geers.
“With our modern CBTC technology Trainguard MT, we are making Frankfurt’s public transport fit for the future. Trainguard MT enables more trains to run at shorter intervals through semi-automated operation. This provides up to 30 percent more capacity with technically possible train sequences of less than 100 seconds, increases energy efficiency, and significantly improves punctuality. This technology has already been proven in cities such as Paris, New York, and Singapore – and it is now being used in Frankfurt,” says Guido Rumpel, Head of Rail Infrastructure Germany at Siemens Mobility.
By linking the two projects, networked mobility in Frankfurt is set to become reality quickly, optimizing inner-city traffic flow and enhancing and prioritizing public transport. Future mobility in Frankfurt will be urban-compatible, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and attractive.
What’s next?
The required technology has been fully installed on lines U4 and U5 in the tunnel between Bockenheimer Warte and Seckbacher Landstraße. Static system tests are being conducted here in September and October, and the first test runs without passengers are planned on this route in January 2026. Operations in a moving block, for example, can be tested for the first time, along with stress and load tests.
Communication between the metro prototype and the track infrastructure was tested on the test ring during the past year to ensure that automatic starting and stopping of the train meets all requirements.
The lines U4 and U5 are to be completed by 2027. By 2030, the “A-Route” with lines U1, U2, U3, and U8 will follow. The “C-Route” and the tram will follow in 2033.
www.siemens.com
Semi-automated test runs with subway prototype for the Digital Train Control System Frankfurt
Over the past year, a metro prototype has been running on the test ring of the central urban train depot managed by the Frankfurt Transport Company (VGF). The tests are for one of the most important digitalization projects in Frankfurt am Main: the "Digital Train Control System Frankfurt" or DTC. The prototype, a converted "U5" type train, communicates continuously with the infrastructure in order to operate more quickly and efficiently. The tests are at "Grade of Automation 2" (GoA2) level, in which trains run partially automated yet require driver supervision.
More trains on the same track
Starting in 2027, VGF will gradually digitalize its current train control system. The trains will continuously communicate with the track infrastructure via radio. The “Communications-Based Train Control” (CBTC) technology enables a "moving block" system, which automatically maintains absolute braking distances between the trains rather than having them operate in inflexible block sections.
As a result, trains can run at shorter intervals, allowing VGF to significantly expand service offerings without having to modify or build new tracks or stations. The new system not only increases schedule precision and reliability but saves up to 25 percent energy. The technology also reduces vehicle and track wear and enhances passenger comfort by ensuring smoother acceleration and braking.
“I am pleased that the DTC digitalization project has reached this milestone, and we will now see in practice what we’ve been discussing in theory for years,” said Wolfgang Siefert, Head of Mobility. “This is good news for Frankfurt: The automated prototype tests show that the digital transformation can drive urban mobility. Specifically, DTC will make public transportation more efficient, reliable, economical, environmentally friendly, and even more comfortable,” he added.
Semi-automated test runs with subway prototype for the digital train control system Frankfurt, photo source VGF
Interaction between DTC und MIND(+)
Since Frankfurt’s metros also operate in part above ground, the seamless integration of road traffic engineering is essential for the project. Aiming to network its urban railways, trams, and road traffic consistently and intelligently, the city has thus closely integrated DTC with the urban project "Frankfurt MIND(+) (Multimodal, Intelligent, Sustainable, Digital)" that utilizes “C-ITS” (“Cooperative Intelligent Transport System”) technology. The interfacing between “CBTC” and “C-ITS” technologies was successfully tested for the first time on VGF’s test ring.
“We are pioneers here and the first transport company worldwide to connect these two technologies. For VGF, DTC is one of the most important innovation projects, and a technology with which we will be future-proof for years to come,” explained VGF Managing Director Steffen Geers.
“With our modern CBTC technology Trainguard MT, we are making Frankfurt’s public transport fit for the future. Trainguard MT enables more trains to run at shorter intervals through semi-automated operation. This provides up to 30 percent more capacity with technically possible train sequences of less than 100 seconds, increases energy efficiency, and significantly improves punctuality. This technology has already been proven in cities such as Paris, New York, and Singapore – and it is now being used in Frankfurt,” says Guido Rumpel, Head of Rail Infrastructure Germany at Siemens Mobility.
By linking the two projects, networked mobility in Frankfurt is set to become reality quickly, optimizing inner-city traffic flow and enhancing and prioritizing public transport. Future mobility in Frankfurt will be urban-compatible, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and attractive.
What’s next?
The required technology has been fully installed on lines U4 and U5 in the tunnel between Bockenheimer Warte and Seckbacher Landstraße. Static system tests are being conducted here in September and October, and the first test runs without passengers are planned on this route in January 2026. Operations in a moving block, for example, can be tested for the first time, along with stress and load tests.
Communication between the metro prototype and the track infrastructure was tested on the test ring during the past year to ensure that automatic starting and stopping of the train meets all requirements.
The lines U4 and U5 are to be completed by 2027. By 2030, the “A-Route” with lines U1, U2, U3, and U8 will follow. The “C-Route” and the tram will follow in 2033.
www.siemens.com
