Berlin, October 25, 2021 – For the first time, S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH presented a fully automated, digitally controlled S-Bahn at the ITS World Congress in Hamburg in October 2021. In the future, four S-Bahn trains will run highly automated between the stations Berliner Tor and Bergedorf/Aumühle. To implement the automatic train operation, the new ATO system (Automatic Train Operation) was linked to the already existing dispatching system of PSI Transcom GmbH. The gradual digitization of the entire S-Bahn network is planned for the next few years.
The PSI dispatching system has been monitoring and controlling S-Bahn traffic in Hamburg for around 20 years and is continuously being adapted to new requirements. Since then, it has ensured safe and reliable operations and informed passengers about train connections. The system combines timetable and dynamic route data and determines optimal journey profiles for the trains based on current conditions and dispatching decisions. These "Journey Profiles" are transmitted from the dispatching system to the ATO systems in the vehicles and enable fully automated train operation.
With the digitization of S-Bahn traffic, S-Bahn Hamburg can further increase its train frequency, drive more climate-friendly, and offer its passengers an even more stable service.
S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH operates on six lines, with a rail network of 147 kilometers and 68 stations. Up to 750,000 passengers use the S-Bahn every day, which connects important hubs such as the main train station or Hamburg Airport with public transport and links the entire metropolitan region to the HVV network.
The PSI Group develops its own software products for optimizing the flow of energy and materials for utilities (energy grids, energy trading, public transport) and industry (metals production, automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics). PSI was founded in 1969 and employs more than 2,100 people worldwide.