In the bustling heart of Berlin, at the DB mindbox offices in Jannowitzbruecke, uTrack embarked on an exciting journey following their successful pitch to DB mindbox earlier this year. What started as a promising opportunity, developed into an enriching 100-day proof of concept (POC), setting the stage for transformative innovations in rail transportation, or rail replacement service tracking, in uTrack’s particular case.
Discovering Deutsche Bahn: Embarking on a Journey of Innovation
In June, uTrack’s CEO, Eamonn Hughes, and Customer Success Manager Yvonne Skalban were warmly welcomed at the DB mindbox offices – the startup hub of Deutsche Bahn Group. Nestled within a repurposed railway station overlooking the Spree River, the setting was as inspiring as it was fitting for an immersion into Deutsche Bahn’s expansive world.
The onboarding days were meticulously organised by Anne Reichenbach-Lange and other members of the DB mindbox team. We were given a comprehensive introduction to Deutsche Bahn – Germany’s largest employer with nearly 300,000 employees.
A Blend of Learning and Bonding
Amidst learning about Germany’s local transport dynamics and participating in fun team-building exercises led by Tom Laterveer from Betahaus, uTrack made strong connections with the other program winners – Sono Beacon, Geops, and Opencapacity. The shared enthusiasm for innovation in the transport sector was clear. The team-building activities were perfect icebreakers, helping everyone to bond quickly and set the stage for future collaboration. This mix of structured information and casual networking created the perfect environment for sparking new ideas and ensuring everyone was ready for their 100-day proof of concept.
Exploring DB SEV: Innovations in Rail Replacement Services
The highlight of the second onboarding day was the field trip to DB SEV GmbH, also headquartered in Berlin. SEV stands for “Schienenersatzverkehr,” and if that doesn’t roll easily off your tongue, you can call it “rail replacement services.” Rail replacement services are essential for maintaining smooth and efficient transportation when train services are disrupted, whether due to planned maintenance, construction work, or unexpected incidents.
Understanding where the replacement vehicles are at any given time is crucial for DB SEV. Real-time tracking of these buses ensures that the replacement services run as smoothly as possible, minimising delays and confusion for passengers. Accurate tracking information allows for better coordination and communication, ensuring that passengers are informed about the location and arrival times of their replacement buses. This significantly enhances the passenger experience, reducing stress and uncertainty during service interruptions. The insights gained from our visit to DB SEV were invaluable, as they reinforced the importance of our proof of concept project in improving real-time tracking for rail replacement services.
If you want to delve in deeper, you may be interested to know that DB SEV distinguishes between three types of rail replacement services:
- Busnotverkehr (BNV): Emergency bus service for sudden disruptions in rail traffic.
- Ersatzverkehr (EV): Planned bus replacement services for construction or maintenance.
- Neuer Ersatzverkehr (NEV): A proprietary DB concept for high-traffic corridors like Riedbahn.
From the informative overview in the boardroom to a tour of the impressive control room and a close look at the innovative pink buses used for Riedbahn rail replacement, the experience was invaluable. This deep dive reinforced uTrack’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through cutting-edge technology in collaboration with DB SEV.
From Concept to Reality: What Lies Ahead
With fresh knowledge and a lot of inspiration from our time at DB mindbox in Berlin, the POC project has now officially been kicked off. The journey from our initial pitch to this point has been insightful and packed with learning experiences. As we progress, we will be sharing more updates and insights through our blog. You can expect regular posts detailing our challenges, successes, and everything we learn along the way.
Photo credit: Deutsche Bahn Group
