Dear Readers,

just in time for the start of InnoTrans 2018, we’re introducing a bilingual English and German version of our Deine Bahn magazine. Bahn Fachverlag, the magazine’s publisher, has decided to publish a Deine Bahn SPECIAL in response to the increasingly international nature of the transport technology trade fair. Two-thirds of the exhibitors at InnoTrans in Berlin now come from countries other than Germany.

The publisher also wishes to attract trade fair visitors to its English content, such as its reference book Railway system knowledge by Jürgen Janicki, a member of its editorial team. An excerpt of the book is available starting on page 18 of the English section of Deine Bahn.

English is ever present as the second working language after German at the DB Group’s Digitalisation and Technology Board Division, which has been headed by Dr. Sabina Jeschke since the beginning of the year. In our leader, Jeschke explains how Deutsche Bahn intends to use its integrated technology and digitalisation strategy to become an internationally renowned example of what is possible in Germany. Artificial intelligence, big data and the internet of things go hand in hand with alternative drive systems, innovative materials and highly developed sensor technology.

Maintenance, too, will be revolutionised by data processing and digital tools. Railcrowd, a startup established by scientists at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences and graduates, is developing a platform for virtual vehicle fleet management.

The issue also includes an article by SCI Verkehr, a consultancy, which conducted a market study on the role that technologies such as hybrid propulsion play in bolstering the global market for traction units.

We hope you find this issue inspiring and informative.

Sincerely,

Martin Nowosad

Editor in Chief