Technology & innovation 02/18 - DB Cargo AG
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02/18
The customer magazine of DB Cargo
FO CU S
Technology &
innovation
Logistics providers today are fully
integrated into their customers’ supply
chains. The right technology ensures an
efficient workflow management.
Page 8
EDITOR IAL 0 2 / 18 _ DB Cargo's open car transport wagons will also be equipped with GPS trackers by 2019. 02
0 2 / 18 EDITOR IAL
Editorial
Dear Readers,
BVL International conducted a study to determine
how we, as logistics experts, should prepare our-
selves for the future. One of the core messages was
that innovative technology concepts have considera-
ble potential for optimising our processes. It lists
predictive analyses to better forecast and plan our
business processes, sensor technology as a source of
data, and not least the linking of new technologies
with our existing systems and those of our customers.
We are trying to take a more systematic approach
to the future, using such tools as predictive analytics
and predictive maintenance to make our everyday
business that little bit better. And by doing so, we're
making our customers' business better, too.
By the way, this is also the reason why we held our
innovation workshop on freight wagons, whose pur-
pose is to establish a dialogue between our customers
and our development engineers. To give you an idea
of what we're doing in terms of personnel to tackle
future challenges, we've included an interview with
Dr Ursula Biernert, Member of the Management
Board for Human Resources.
I hope you enjoy reading our magazine.
Yours faithfully,
Raimund Stüer
03
CONTENTS 0 2 / 18
FO C U S
02 08 14
Editorial Transport chain 4.0 Keeping a digital ear to the ground
Innovative technology concepts Fibre optic sensing means
04 optimise customers' supply chains. better safety and quality for rail operations.
Contents
12 15
Predictive planning Processing damaged wagons with
06 an app
Better planning processes thanks to
News
predictive analytics. Faster reporting and repair –
thanks to digitalised processes.
16
_ A number of techni- Innovative freight wagons
cal innovations along
the entire supply chain
Freight wagons of the future: a research
ensure reliability and project like no other in Germany.
efficiency.
20
On the way to smart predictive
maintenance
Optimised maintenance improves
processes along the entire supply chain.
24
Interview with Dr Ursula Biernert
Dr Ursula Biernert, DB Cargo Management
Board Member for Human Resources, on
demographic change, international focus
and digitalisation in HR.
04
0 2 / 18 CONTENTS
I N N OVAT IO N S & S O LU T IO N S C U S TO M E R S & M A R K E T S
28 36
Blockchain technology in logistics Hydraulic show of strength
Even greater security and transparency for Special freight wagons win over Danish
service providers and their customers. steel manufacturer NLMK DanSteel.
30 38
Think tank and laboratory of Development on equal terms
the future A direct line between customers and the _ On the move at the
Where are Big Data and Logistics 4.0 taking experts at DB Cargo. innovation workshop
us? We visit the amspire lab. for freight wagons at the
Paderborn mainte-
42 nance depot.
So what does it do?
the amspire lab in Frankfurt?
43
Looking ahead & publishing details
_ Interdisciplinary
teams tackle the chal-
lenges of Logistics 4.0 at
the amspire lab.
34 NEWSLETTER
State of the art and fully automatic Visit our website and sign up for our
DB Cargo invests in the new train formation newsletter:
facility in Halle (Saale) and makes it one of www.dbcargo.com/
the most modern facilities in Europe. newsletteranmeldung
05
NEWS 0 2 / 18
GERMANY
Tackling future trends
together
Fourth DB Cargo Pulp & Paper
Summit at DB Academy in Potsdam. U
DI D YO
KNOW
...
that
100
different nationalities
Over 70 customers and logistics partners in the work at Deutsche Bahn?
paper, pulp and packaging industry enjoyed a
diverse programme at the 4th Pulp & Paper Sum-
mit on 15 May, where they discussed current
industry trends and their impact on logistics
The world’s longest freight
with DB Cargo. The focus was on digitalisation
railway link, which connects Madrid
and demographic change, which were addressed
to Yiwu, China, is
13,000
during interesting talks and examined in more
detail along with additional topics at workshops
with the participants.
“The in-depth discussions demonstrated to us
that working logistics concepts are absolutely kilometres long?
essential for our customers. We need to map out
reliable transport services from the very begin-
ning and take end-to-end responsibility,” said
that
Jürgen Röher, Head of Sales and Operations
60%
Center Pulp & Paper.
According to Raimund Stüer, DB Cargo Board
Member for Sales and Marketing, “The event
was a resounding success, with exciting talks
and in-depth discussions”. № of DB Cargo transports cross at
least one national border?
A detailed report on the event is included in railways
issue No. 03/2018.
06
0 2 / 18 NEWS
RUSSIA
The
Facts about the 21st World Cup
FIFA World Cup is
Here are a few facts for
H U N G A RY
New CEO
striking up a lunchtime
conversation about the
36.8
world's greatest sporting cm tall and weighs
Dr Jan Busch is the
event and the first Worl
new CEO of DB Cargo
Cup to be held on two dif-
Hungária.
ferent continents – Asia
and Europe.
6,175
grams
The greatest distance France has the most
between two venues is expensive squad at
Since 1 May, Dr Jan Busch has been
2,484 1.08
the new CEO of DB Cargo's Hungarian kilometres billion euros
national company, DB Cargo Hungária
Kft. in Győr. Busch (41) has been
with DB Cargo since 2007 and has
extensive experience in sales and There are Panama has the least
controlling. In his most recent role as expensive squad at
Head of Sales Processes in Frankfurt
am Main, he was responsible for cus-
tomer satisfaction analysis throughout
338,414 8.43
Europe, several IT projects in sales ticket requests from
and bid management. DB Cargo Germany million euros
Hungária Kft. was formed when Logis-
tic Center Hungária Kft., which was
established by DB Cargo in 2001, was
renamed. It received its railway
licence in 2011 and since then has
successfully offered transport services
and helped significantly increase
the share of international transport
services in the DB Cargo family. №
07
FO C U S 0 2 / 18
0 2 / 18 FO C U S
— K AT H R I N P O L I K E I T
In the age of digitalisation, changes in customer
needs and patterns of behaviour are just as
rapid as they are radical. The entire supply
chain has to adapt accordingly. DB Cargo is
therefore relying on a whole series of technical
innovations.
FO C U S 0 2 / 18
“The logistics goals
with the highest priority are
fulfilment of customer
requirements, reliable delivery
and logistics costs.”
T
Trends and Strategies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management:
Digital Transformation Opportunities, a study by the German logistics
association Bundesvereinigung Logistik, “BVL”
he results of the recent
study “Trends and Strat-
egies in Logistics and
Supply Chain Manage-
ment: Digital Transfor-
mation Opportunities”
by Bundesvereinigung
Logistik (BVL) show the way: “The
logistics goals with the highest priority
are fulfilment of customer require-
ments, reliable and on-schedule deliv-
ery and logistics costs.”
The study focuses especially on sis and analysis appreciably enhances repairs that may be necessary, which
the technical elements of the supply the quality of equipment and rolling reduces idle time and cancellations for
chain. According to the study, these stock. But the long-term aim is to go one customers. At the moment, DB Cargo
must be modified in two ways: Suppli- step further: for example, maintenance is working with two customers from
ers and logistics service providers need optimisation should also asses which the recycling industry to pilot the app.
to be linked to seamless IT systems, incident notifications need to be pro-
and supply chains need to be designed cessed first if there are competing inci- Fibre-optic sensing (FOS)
and analysed by exchanging data dents, because one may have a more
across company lines. Predictive analyt- severe potential impact than the other. Deutsche Bahn is also testing a
ics, mobile access by customers to data This sounds very theoretical, but it fibre-optic system at present that will
and the corresponding sensors for yields a specific benefit: if the mainte- make the monitoring of modern trans-
monitoring are the technology con- nance of wagons can be planned more port chains even better. Fibre-optic
cepts that offer the brightest prospects efficiently, the availability of wagons sensing (FOS) can allow for more rapid
for logistics. DB Cargo is already for customers will improve, too. detection of animals on the track, land-
investing in these fields. slides or cable theft. It will preserve
DB Cargo’s damaged wagon app resources while delivering further
Predictive Maintenance safety and quality improvements in
The same is true for the damaged rail operations. “Since a year ago, we
The objective of predictive mainte- wagon app. DB Cargo is using this new have been investigating FOS at sites
nance is designing the maintenance of application to optimise the handling including Berlin Wannsee, the right
locomotives to be more efficient by process for when wagons need to be bank of the Rhine and the new Ger-
means of data-based predictions. Sen- replaced or repaired. Customers can man Unity Transport Project 8.2 high-
sors and other data recording devices now report damaged wagons digitally. speed line”, explains Patrick Pohl,
collect data on the infrastructure and The app features a simple-to-navigate project manager for fibre-optic sensing
vehicles and link it on an open plat- menu that one can follow to transmit (FOS) at DB Netz AG. The German
form to determine what systems need reports, complete with photos of the Unity Transport Project 8.2 (or VDE
to be maintained or replaced, and at damage, by means of a few clicks. The 8.2) is Germany’s largest rail construc-
what intervals. This smart data diagno- photos can considerably speed up any tion project between Nuremberg and
100 2 / 18 FO C U S
Berlin. 8.2 is the name for all the new-
build sections of the route. The first
results are expected by the middle of the
year.
GER MAN UNIT Y
On the way to digitally transformed
logistics TR AN SPORT
DB Cargo’s investments are squarely
aimed at relationships with customers
PROJECT NO. 8
and satisfying their needs. They do not
only offer DB Cargo optimisation of Germany’s largest rail project between Nurem-
freight wagon availability; data such as berg and Berlin is a undertaking filled with
runtimes, distance travelled and superlatives, whose multiple innovations are
capacity utilisation of networks also
offers the opportunity to improve setting new standards.
logistics for customers. №
The German government approved the
multi-billion-euro project in 1991 to
improve the transport links between
east and west and between north
CHECKLIST and south, and to close the gap in
Germany’s high-speed rail network.
There is a passing station every 20
7 requirements for successful supply
chain management km for high-speed express trains to
overtake other services. New routes
Overarching cooperation will alleviate bottlenecks in freight
transport, and renovated hubs, such
_ The viaduct over
Transparent exchange of information as the Halle formation yard, will make
Froschgrundsee:
798 m long, 65 m it easier to spread freight trains
Fast reaction times high, concrete arch throughout the network.
with 270 m spans.
Short process times
High-performance planning software
Comprehensive logistics
Clear and binding rules
€ € €
10 billion 4,500
capital expenditure costs employees at work
on construction of the route
770,000 230
plans and documents kilometres of new-build line
11FO C U S 0 2 / 18
Predictive
planning
DB Cargo’s Utilisation Man-
agement uses predictive
analytics to determine the
proper scope of and manage
some 3.6 million single wag-
onload transports in the
network annually.
H
ow do you ensure that the Here is how single wagonload
right number of wagons transport works in practice: the cus-
reaches the right destina- tomer orders an empty wagon, loads it,
tion at the right time for and DB Cargo transports the custom-
your customers? The sim- er’s goods from point A to point B. How-
ple answer is planning. However, you ever, since it would not be efficient for
need another solution if you want this a locomotive to pull only one wagon
planning to be as effective as possible from point A to point B, the wagons
in terms of production quality for are collected at hubs and assembled
customers – meaning reliability and into trains that transport wagons trav- “You have
punctuality – and as efficient as possi-
ble from a cost vantage point. This is
elling to similar destinations farther
along their route. The process is to know what’s in
because single wagonload transport is
complex and naturally extremely
repeated at the next hub until the
wagon reaches the customer. A single
the data to be
resource-intensive. Extensive HR
costs and investments in wagon fleets
wagon is thus transported through
the network by several trains. A sys-
able to use it.”
generate fixed costs that can be managed tem this complex requires nuanced
DR MARTIN BODESTEDT,
in an economically reasonable fashion planning to ensure that the network expert in Predictive Analytics at
only when resources are distributed has the requisite resources available DB Cargo’s Utilisation Management
appropriately. at all points. This sounds abstract,
but customers can notice it directly:
it translates into better availability
and predictability of their flows of
goods.
Single Wagon Network Manage-
ment, established a year and a half ago
at DB Cargo, is breaking new ground to
meet these needs. The aim is to be as
targeted as possible to assist salesper-
sons when they are planning the trans-
port service customers need for spe-
cific routes, in order to predict as
precisely as possible what transport
service and resources will be needed.
120 2 / 18 FO C U S
That will allow sales personnel to be
more targeted at how they meet the
requirements of their customers and
the customers’ specific transport. Sta-
tistical models and clever algorithms
are used to make that happen.
The future of single wagonload
transport
250 salespersons and 70,000 routes
can easily generate a million data sets
that are simply impossible to view and
process manually. A great deal of
traffic, such as wood transport, is also
seasonal and mathematical models
can depict it very precisely. The algo-
rithms can thus be used to generate
models that serve as the basis for much
more precise forecasts. Single Wagon ers’ transport needs at times of peak Think integrated
Network Management is using 16 demand. The optimal capacity utilisa-
models to do this, which operate in tion of the fleet can boost reliability “You have to know what’s in the data
parallel. The amazing thing is that the for customers, because increased to be able to use it”, says Martin
system studies the data sets and val- earnings achieved at the same cost Bodestedt, neatly summarising the
ues of the previous ten years and can free up the funds needed to invest requirements facing data scientists at
learns independently when and in in locomotives, wagons and human DB Cargo. “You need an understand-
what cases a given model will make resources. ing of mathematics to grasp where the
the most sense. “Machine learning” is numbers are coming from. That is the
the operative term here. Dr Martin only way to integrate them into the
Bodestedt, who has been an expert in process to improve it.” When various
Predictive Analytics at DB Cargo’s THIS IS HOW parameters are available, such as the
Utilisation Management for a year PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS number of wagons, net tonnage or
and a half has this to add: “The
direction we aspire to head in is to
WILL HELP WITH PLAN- revenues, data scientists need to
decide which figures make valid fore-
simplify the planning process for cus- NING BY SALESPERSONS casts possible. In most cases, net ton-
tomer advisory to a large extent and AT DB CARGO: nage per transport is the key figure
improve the quality of the process at that is most ideally suited, since it
the same time, so advisory have more directly reflects the transport service
time for their customers.” 1 _ I NTEGRATION that customers need. That is why one
The objective of the experts sur- The models and dashboards devel- also needs a basic understanding of
rounding Dr Martin Bodestedt is to oped will be integrated in DB Cargo’s business to succeed in mining a com-
determine the perfect size of the net- infrastructure. pany’s available data to generate added
work. “Strong forecasts in terms of value for planning. №
time and geography as a foundation 2 _ VENDOR PLANNING USE CASE
for planning make it possible to get As the first use case, the predictive
more out of locomotives, wagons and analytics models will be integrated
personnel. This leads in turn to fewer into salesperson planning to support
the forecast in VIPS (DB Cargo’s
quality problems and faster turna-
sales, information and planning
round cycles for wagons, making system).
them available faster for the next cus-
tomer”, says Carolina Lasse, head of the
Single Wagon Network and Utilisation 3 _ ADDITIONAL USE CASES
Management unit in Industrial Sales. The methodology can be applied to
other use cases such as freight
The faster turnaround cycle times wagon availability or determining the
enable DB Cargo to perform more proper size of the network or local
Dr Martin Bodestedt,
transports with the existing fleet of service. Utilisation Management, DB Cargo
wagons and to better cover custom- martin.bodestedt@deutschebahn.com
13FO C U S 0 2 / 18
Keeping a digital
ear to the ground
Damage from storms, cable theft and animals on the track. ject Manager at DB Netz AG. Some
It would be great if we could always keep an ear to the 2,500 light impulses per second are
continuously transmitted via a glass
ground to be able to respond to these events immediately fibre located in the cable next to the
by warning trains, closing off routes and dispatching safety line. If sound waves impact the cable,
personnel. There is a solution, and it’s called “fibre-optic for example as a train passes by, the
sensing”, or FOS for short. glass fibre will change shape near the
microphone, deflecting the light.
These def lections will be checked
against the acoustic fingerprints of
F
diverse types of influences, which are
CHECK BOX ibre-optic cables are used recorded in a database. “This will ulti-
to rapidly transmit data, mately put us in a position to deter-
for internet connections for mine exactly what is happening, and
How fibre-optic sensing works instance. The oil and gas where, with an accuracy of up to five
industry has used fibre-optic metres, and we will be able to act, if
1 _ People or animals on the track trigger cables to monitor pipelines in remote needed”, says Patrick Pohl.
sound waves, which cause microbends
areas for quite some time. Deutsche
in the optical fibre in the fibre-optic
cable on the track, which reflects the Bahn is currently conducting tests at Three preliminary projects in
transmitted light impulses. three locations to determine whether constant use
the technology can be harnessed for
rail transport. Back in 2014, a 33 km test field on the
2 _ Sending light impulses and measur-
Fulda–Würzburg route was installed for
ing how the light is reflected in the
fibre-optic cable makes it possible to Acoustic fingerprint database an 18 month study. Berlin-Wannsee,
see and evaluate sound waves. the right bank of the Rhine and the new
“Fibre-optic sensing works like a micro high-speed line for the German Unity
phone that picks up noises along a rail Transport Project 8.2 were equipped
3 _S
oftware constantly compares the line”, explains Patrick Pohl, FOS Pro- with permanently installed fibre-optic
incoming acoustic data with known
sensor systems in December 2016. “We
digital fingerprints to provide infor-
mation about the type and position want to find out how fibre-optic sensing
of the noise source and the time the can be integrated into regular rail oper-
noise occurred. ations”, says Pohl. “We are expecting
the results of the preliminary projects
to be in by the middle of the year, and
4 _ FOS systems can monitor areas of
up to 40 km and pinpoint sources of they will inform our decision of what to
noise within five metres. do next.” №
Patrick Pohl, FOS Project Manager, DB Netz AG
patrick.pohl@deutschebahn.com
140 2 / 18 FO C U S
Processing damaged
wagons with an app
Customers used to have to
fax damaged wagon reports
to DB Cargo for the com-
pany to be able to provide
replacement wagons and
repair damaged ones. Now
DB Cargo’s new damaged
wagon app is digitalising the
process.
S
nagged bogies, stuck hinges New process benefits customers
and dented doors: damaged
wagons are an annoyance for Those customers that frequently have
customers. DB Cargo’s new to contend with loading and unloading
damaged wagon app is mak- damage linked to specific industries
ing it easier to report them. Until now, and models stand to benefit the most
reporting damaged wagons was quite from the new application. It was this
cumbersome and time consuming: cus- that prompted DB Cargo to pilot the
tomers had to print out a form on A4 app in collaboration with two custom-
paper and fax it to Customer Service ers from the scrap industry. “The
and the office. “Our new app stream- d amaged wagon app will greatly sim-
lines this process”, explains Jürgen plify our work process,” says Thomas
Bosse, Head of myRailportal and Cus- Grötzinger, Head of Logistics at Scholz
tomer Integration at DB Cargo. “Not Recycling GmbH. “Our employees
only do our customers save time and will use the app on their smart phones.
money, but they can also send the Any damage that is identified will be photographed right away and digitally
information directly to several parties relayed to DB Cargo. That will noticea-
involved in the process.” bly accelerate the decision of whether
new wagons have to be ordered.”
Reporting damage by photo chat
Broader rollout by the end of 2018
The new smartphone app is customis-
able and features a simple-to-navigate “The Other customers will have the chance
menu that customers can follow to
submit damaged wagon reports with damaged wagon to use the app as soon as this year,
says Jürgen Bosse. “We are planning to
their user profiles by means of a few
mouse clicks. Customers can attach
app will greatly kick off a second phase by the end of
2018 that will make the app available
photos so Production can get an
immediate idea of what the damage
simplify our work to a wider clientele.” №
looks like. This lets technicians process.”
decide whether a new wagon has to be
delivered to a given customer, or THOMAS GRÖTZINGER, HEAD OF LOGISTICS
whether it would be worth sending AT SCHOLZ RECYCLING GMBH.
Jürgen Bosse, Head of myRailportal and Customer Integration
out a mobile team to repair the at DB Cargo
existing wagon. juergen.bosse@deutschebahn.com
15FO C U S 0 2 / 18
Innovative
freight wagons
INNOVATIVE POWER CABLE/
BOGIES DATA BUS
hree-axle bogie for
T oal: 48V power cable and CAN data
G
flat wagon/BraCoil bus cable
ngoing development based on
O Battery charging for telematics devices
existing bogie designs
ontrol of electropneumatic brake func-
C
ptimised wear patterns on bogie
O tionality (ep brake) via CAN data bus
through interior structure reinforcement
tatus quo: 110V power cable for ep
S
reater cost effectiveness and
G brake control
lower life cycle costs
(BraCoil, Laaeffrs 561)
(BraCoil)
160 2 / 18 FO C U S
M
In the only research project of its ore efficiency,
kind in Germany, DB Cargo has more reliabil-
ity, lower costs:
joined forces with VTG AG and other customers’
well-known project partners to develop requirements
the freight wagon of the future. for rail freight
transport of
the future are nothing new, but in an
age of digital transformation and fast-
paced markets, the demand for innova-
tive technical services is great. In
2016, DB Cargo and VTG AG joined
together to launch the “Innovative
freight wagons” research project on
behalf of the Federal Ministry of
Transport and Digital Infrastructure
(BMVI). For Holger Schmidt, project
manager at DB Cargo and spokesper-
son of the VTG-DB Cargo consortium,
the long-term goal is to test innovative
components that contribute towards
significantly reducing a freight wagon’s
life cycle costs. “Our focus in this
project is therefore clearly on noise
reduction and energy savings,”
SPECIFICATIONS: Schmidt explains. The schedule is
brisk: as early as September 2018, the
BRACOIL new freight wagons are set to be
Specific use: exhibited at the InnoTrans trade fair in
Transport of steel slabs, steel coils Berlin, even before the project ends on
and containers 31 December 2018.
Spotlight on two wagon types
1 _ Length over buffers: 16.40 m
2 _ Loading length: 15.16 m
For the VTG-DB Cargo consortium,
3 _ Loading width bet. cradles: 2.40 m there is no reason for last-minute
4 _ Width bet. stanchions: 2.63 m panic: the team is right on schedule. In
5 _ Bogie spacing: 9.40 m the past two years, they have devel-
6 _ Wheelset diameter: 92 cm oped twelve new freight wagons in
7 _ Axle load: 22.5 t total based on four wagon categories
8 _T are weight (incl. stillage): and placed them on the tracks as proto-
max. 35 t types in January and February 2018.
9 _ Max. payload: min. 100 t The development work by DB Cargo
10 _ Max. total weight: 135 t focused primarily on two wagon
categories: a six-axle flat wagon for
17FO C U S 0 2 / 18
transporting steel products and a EP BRAKE “LIGHT”
two-part open car transport wagon.
lectronic brake valves are controlled
E
ep brake “light”: hidden via a power cable/data bus and
electropneumatic brake functionality
champion of components is established.
The ep brake “light” is something All wagons can be braked simultaneously
like a hidden champion among the ith a focus on cost savings, only one air
W
components. line and air reservoir must be refilled in
the conventional manner after braking
In contrast to a conventional brake
in freight trains, it enables simultane- (BraCoil, Laaeffrs 561)
ous control of appropriately equipped
wagons during braking, improving the
train’s braking precision and saving
energy. The technology is being used
for the first time in a freight train with
a hybrid brake system – that is to say
both conventional and electropneu-
matic.
Initial experiences during field INNOVATIVE WHEELSETS
testing show that the effect is clearly WHEELSET COATINGS /
noticeable in the test train, in which
only the innovative freight wagons are
WHEEL NOISE ABSORBERS
equipped with the ep brake “light”. If esting of various combinations of low-noise
T
this impression is confirmed with wheelsets, wheel coatings and wheel noise
corresponding measurement results absorbers
and the energy savings are thus quan- heelsets and wheel noise absorbers for
W
tified, a future equipping, and even wheels with tread brakes
retrofitting where appropriate, of the esting of low-noise wheels in the acoustic lab
T
wagons with the ep brake “light” tech- of project partner RWTH Aachen to identify
nology could subsequently be assessed their sound effects
in operational and economic terms. (BraCoil, Laaeffrs 561)
BraCoil: multifunctional
allrounder for steel products
The first new development from
DB Cargo is the six-axle flat wagon for
transporting steel products. This
“BraCoil” is multifunctional and is
capable of transporting containers in
addition to steel slabs and steel coils. TECHNICAL DATA
A key feature of the BraCoil is that it LAAEFFRS 561
enables cargo to be transferred without
modifying the wagon. № Specific use:
Transport of large car models,
minibuses and pickups
1 _ Maximum car height: approx.
1,990 mm
2 _ Length over buffers: 33 m
3 _L oading length (lower loading level):
32.18 m
4 _ Loading length (upper loading level):
32.55 m
5 _ Max. payload: 36 t
Holger Schmidt,
Head of Technical Management Freight Wagons
6 _ Number of axles: 4
holger.hl.schmidt @deutschebahn.com
180 2 / 18 FO C U S
DIGITAL BRAKING TELEMATICS
INDICATOR asic functionalities, such as location
B
I ndicates whether the brake and determination and recording of distance
handbrake are off or applied travelled
Monitors brake pads dditional equipment with RFID/NFC
A
tags for fast wagon identification and
(BraCoil, Laaeffrs 561) retrieval of wagon history via mobile app
(BraCoil, Laaeffrs 561)
19FO C U S 0 2 / 18
On the way to
smart predictive
maintenance
Sluggish manufacturing processes, loss of produc-
tion and frustrated customers: what costs time and
money in the machinery and automotive industries
can also delay processes along the entire supply
chain in the logistics industry. The solution is smart
predictive maintenance.
O
ne cancelled freight
train can easily cost
hundreds of thou-
sands of euros.
When a locomotive
that works perfectly
well is taken out of
service for maintenance, it upends
processes that are calibrated right
down to the second in an infrastruc-
ture where one thing counts above all:
efficiency. That’s why logistics services
providers such as DB Cargo are on the
lookout for solutions to minimise dis-
ruptions like these and to ensure exist-
ing assets are utilised to the fullest.
One such solution is the digital trans-
formation of asset management and
maintenance processes, which are still0 2 / 18 FO C U S
Camera bridges, wheelset diagnostics, brake
block diagnostics. “These technologies are
absolutely crucial — both for the digital assess-
ment of freight wagons and for DB Cargo’s
asset digitalisation strategy on the whole.”
JAN MÜLLERSCHÖN
Project Manager for Digital Appraisal
largely carried out manually. This “The key to our success will be con-
transformation is set forth in the Asset dition monitoring of locomotives, i.e. THE FOUR-STAGE MODEL
and Maintenance Digitalisation monitoring rolling stock and applying
(AMD) programme. The AMD pro- the information we obtain to ensure The rollout of the maintenance strategy is
based on these four process stages:
gramme encompasses a variety of dif- that the assets are maintained as
ferent digitalisation projects, which needed”, Niggeman continues. “This is
are being carried out at the Digital already being implemented at DB Cargo
Asset & Maintenance Lab at the House through the TechLok project. To put it STAGE 0:
of Logistics and Mobility in Frankfurt. simply, locomotives are equipped
Modular overhaul (2016–2019):
The lab is the central data and analysis with transmission computers, known Dividing complex overall maintenance
hub, which makes it the brains behind as ‘boxes’. They transmit all the neces- requirements into individual modules.
digital fleet management and optimised sary signals to the land side. We can
maintenance processes at DB Cargo. use this data to assess the condition of
locomotives early on and accurately so STAGE 1:
The four-stage model and we can draw the right conclusions for
Condition monitoring 2017–2020:
connected workers maintenance.” So what does that mean Live-tracking rolling stock and using the
for employees at maintenance depots? information obtained to maintain locomo-
The AMD programme takes aim at “The initiatives of the individual tives through all current management
two core targets. Its first and primary stages ensure that employees will levels.
objective is creating added value for increasingly be ‘connected workers’
customers by providing digital prod- who will have the right expertise, the
ucts. Second, it aspires to drop mainte- right tools and the right digitalised STAGE 2:
nance costs by ramping up efficiency information about operational steps, Condition based maintenance
and asset availability. This is precisely which they will be able to apply at the 2017–2021:
The first step is to monitor rolling stock
where digital transformation opens up right time and at the right place at the to bring all components in line with limit
an efficient path to condition-based, right maintenance depot using the values that have been checked or newly
predictive maintenance (CBM). right materials to maintain the right specified.
“Having the right information at the locomotive. It will be like a Formula
right time is the crucial point here”, One pit stop”, says Niggemann. “To
says Holger Niggemann, Head of ensure that this happens, it is crucial
Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) for all of the projects in the AMD
at DB Cargo. “To ensure this happens”, programme and related programmes STAGE 3:
says Niggemann, “we are phasing in and systems to operate in synch with Predictive maintenance 2018–2021:
condition based maintenance for our one another, like clockwork.” Developing algorithms for certain asset
locomotives and predictive mainte- Deutsche Bahn is increasingly net- components and designing the mainte-
nance, which takes CBM further”. working data from systems on an open, nance of these components to allow them
to “report themselves” in a timely fashion
The new maintenance strategy will generic platform. For instance, regu- even before damage occurs so that loco-
be rolled out by around 2021 using a lar trains and self-propelled track motives can be brought to maintenance
four-stage model. recording cars monitor infrastructure, depots on time.
such as track geometry, overhead
21FO C U S 0 2 / 18
“Another advantage of predictive his current project in March 2018. He
maintenance is that it makes it simpler is responsible for making maintenance
to pool interests with other operators commissioning viable for the future as
by exchanging visualisations and part of DB Cargo’s technology and
assessments. In collaboration with innovation strategy. Müllerschön and
industry, this method also makes it his colleagues are laying the founda-
simpler to connect to existing assets tion for changing how maintenance is
digitally and specify exact interfaces to planned, managed and carried out.
ensure the stability of the overall infra- “Essentially, we are transforming reac-
“Our aspiration is structure. There are many benefits”, tive and deadline-based maintenance
to strengthen stresses Niggemann. “Not only does it
determine the maintenance strategy
into smart and preventive mainte-
nance that rests on predictive intelli-
capacity utilisa- for certain components; it can also
intervene intelligently in exceptional
gence.” The team collects the condi-
tion-based data required for this using
tion, improve situations. For instance, when there
are competing error notices, it can
diagnostics systems, which the project
team installs on infrastructure in col-
the availability decide which of them to prioritise in laboration with DB Netz.
of asset and future. We are working step-by-step
with all our partners internally and A mammoth digital task
production with industry representatives exter-
nally to improve all of this.” Two core elements are crucial for mak-
resources and ing a project like this feasible in the
Smart predictive maintenance of first place: digitalisation and transfor-
to step up energy freight wagons mation. “Our main objective when it
efficiency, Jan Müllerschön knows this topic
comes to digitalisation is selecting the
right technologies and taking the pro-
quality and through and through. He works at DB
Cargo in Mainz, where he heads up the
cesses that are still largely carried out
manually and making them fit for the
customer Semi-Automated Damage Detection future. When it comes to transforma-
Wagons (SDW) project, which is part tion, employees take centre stage.
satisfaction.” of the AMD programme. He and his In particular, this means providing
team are developing digital solutions employees with the appropriate digi-
JAN MÜLLERSCHÖN
for asset management and mainte- tal support to help them continue to
Project Manager for Digital Appraisal nance. When anyone asks him how deliver their key contributions to
digitalisation can help improve work- DB Cargo’s business performance.” For
flows, planning efficiency and thus the Jan Müllerschön, Heinz Frank, Marcus
availability of the freight wagon fleet Jäger, Thomas Ziesmer and the rest of
when it comes to the maintenance of the team, the underlying strategic
DB Cargo’s fleet of roughly 90,000 objective is both to encourage people
freight wagons, his answer gets right to
the point: “Here’s how: our SDW pro-
ject reduces unscheduled wagon can-
lines and the dynamic response of cellations due to damage by introduc-
vehicles. Conversely, the infrastruc- ing preventive maintenance based on
ture also monitors rolling stock and additional condition analyses, which
its parameters at checkpoints, for are generated automatically while
example, by identifying out-of-round wagons are in service. Moreover, we
wheels and measuring wheel loads are enabling digital wagon appraisal,
and lopsided loads. In the process, the which lets us commission mainte-
infrastructure also monitors itself by nance earlier. All of this happens
rendering additional data on infra- before wagons even arrive at mainte-
structure components, such as diag- nance depots. At the same time, we
nostics of points or level crossings, are designing the modern and attrac-
1 _ The SDW Project
usable on a central platform. There tive workplace of the future.”
Team at work, consist-
are considerable advantages. More Having worked on building and ing of staff at the head
precise diagnostics and more reliable developing a European maintenance office and the regions.
forecasts can substantially improve network over the last three years, the
the quality and speed of traffic. 32-year-old industrial engineer joined
22FO C U S
1 _ Thanks to the
TechLOK systems,
locomotives only need
to visit the depot if the
evaluated data indi-
cates a need for this.
FEATURES AT
A GLANCE
After the three technologies have been
s uccessfully validated, 30 systems are set
to be installed throughout Germany (ten
per technology).
and challenge them at the same time. asset digitalisation strategy on the
Camera bridges
“What we want to achieve is improved whole”, Müllerschön says. First, they
availability of freight wagons, which play a key role in ensuring that the 1 _ Identification of damaged wagon
has a direct bearing on production qual- individual projects in the AMD pro- superstructures and chassis frames
by trained staff
ity, and by extension, on customer gramme can work in concert with one
2 _ Appraisal of damaged wagons —
satisfaction. Aside from that, we want another. Second, they ensure that
many other application scenarios (for
to design a modern and attractive processes throughout the entire sup- example identification of cargo resi-
workplace of the future that will bene- ply chain are automated, which makes due, documentation for handovers of
fit both our new and experienced col- them even more reliable. “It goes with- leased wagons)
leagues.” out saying that the ones who benefit
from this the most are our customers”, Wheelset diagnostics
“Ultimately, it will be our customers Müllerschön adds. №
1 _ Regular measurement of wheelset
who benefit”
profiles in operation
2 _ Analysis of wear characteristics
In order for smart predictive mainte-
3 _ Identification of damaged wheelsets
nance to be possible in the first place,
innovative solutions are required, and
Müllerschön and his team are also Brake block diagnostics
responsible for developing and testing Holger Niggemann, 1 _ Regular measurement of brake blocks
them. The technologies that they use Head of Condition Based Maintenance in operation
Assetmanagement & Technology Locomotives
are camera bridges and wheelset and holger.niggemann@deutschebahn.com 2 _ Analysis of wear characteristics
brake block diagnostics systems. 3 _ I dentification of damaged brake
“These technologies are absolutely Jan Müllerschön, blocks and direct management of
Project Manager for Semi-Automated Damage
crucial – both for the digital appraisal mobile repair teams
Detection in Wagons (SDW)
of freight wagons and for DB Cargo’s jan.muellerschoen@deutschebahn.com
23FO C U S 0 2 / 18
— A X E L N O VA K
— TI ANA KOL ZTER
240 2 / 18 FO C U S
A CO N V E R S AT IO N W I T H D R U R S U L A B I E R N E RT
The new DB Cargo:
digital, international,
diverse
Human resources at Europe’s largest freight oper- specific, we are currently working on
ating company: demographic change, the interna- international recruiting channels and
concepts at the Group and business
tional alignment and, last but not least, digitalisa- unit level. That’s very enjoyable. At
tion are bringing changes to DB Cargo. Member HR, we also stand in very close solidar-
of the Management Board for Human Resources ity with our business partners, and we
fight hand in hand to ensure business
Dr Ursula Biernert explains in an interview how performance, stability, customer satis-
the company is responding to these developments. faction and growth.
What sort of an impact has digitali-
sation had on DB Cargo?
U B _ The megatrends on the logis-
tics market affect all the stakeholders,
and the same goes for digitalisation.
On the one hand, digitalisation offers
enormous opportunities for boosting
Dr Biernert, the situation at DB Cargo to add over 3,000 new employees to efficiency and automation. On the
is not an easy one. Digitalisation, our ranks in the coming years. That other hand, it means we need to adapt
growing internationalisation and includes train drivers, shunting loco- existing professions and point out
demographic change: what does all motive drivers and wagon inspectors, alternative career paths. We need to
this mean for the Human Resources but also planners and chief dispatchers empower our employees and managers
division? in Production. to respond to these trends.
U B _ Right now, these are turbulent It sounds like you have a lot of dif- Does that mean chief dispatchers
times for rail freight transport; we are ferent areas to tackle at once. Are will turn into programmers and
number one in Europe, employing you actually enjoying yourself? wagon inspectors will become data
some 29,000 employees in 16 coun- analysts?
tries. But there is fierce competition U B _ I absolutely am, because my
among modes of transportation and previous work always had an interna- U B _ Well, maybe it won’t be quite
rail companies. At the same time, we tional bent, and I see a great deal of that drastic. It’s all about the company
have to respond to the gaps that demo- opportunity in DB Cargo’s European taking advantage of the opportunities
graphic change is opening up at our network. We are building a European that digitalisation presents. Let’s take
company. DB Cargo’s new growth HR organisation, and we have to be one example: at the moment we are
strategy has enjoyed market success integrated and think European. outfitting our locomotives and freight
since last year, which sent our staffing Despite the diversity of the countries, wagons with sensors and GPS mod-
needs soaring starting in the summer for the most part, our national compa- ules that continuously send data about
of 2017. DB Cargo wants to grow. and nies share the same set of strategic and the condition of components, their
we need more staff to do it! Our aim is operational challenges. To be more location and other information.
25FO C U S 0 2 / 18
This data is collected, analysed about a major staff shortage on the paign: we successfully addressed cer-
and evaluated in a way that will allow labour market today. This shortage tain target groups at seven sites with
it to generate added value for us puts us in fierce competition with our particular shortages by using large
and our customers, whether that’s competitors and other major industrial posters, image ads in newspapers and
through keeping customers better companies. We therefore have to moti- regional media cooperation.
informed, digital fleet management, vate career changers to come to us.
automated functions or the warehouse Then we train them. We are also fight- How is recruitment coming along?
management system at our mainte- ing to attract junior employees, espe-
nance depots. We need to prepare our cially in the operational organisations. U B _ We are doing away with obsta-
employees for this. I see digitalisation as an opportunity cles in the application process. For
here for us to position ourselves as an instance, by organising recruitment
So digitalisation isn’t an end in attractive employer. days. People who are interested can
itself... apply there informally and come by
Does DB cargo appeal to employees? for interviews. In remote regions, we
U B _ Digitalisation won’t make us rely on minibuses, which can be used
into machines; it will save our employ- U B _ DB cargo is often still perceived as mobile interview lounges. Employee
ees from having to perform many as an organisation in the midst of recommendations are a key tool for
tasks, and it will free up time for new layoffs. Both internally and externally, recruiting new staff. In 2017, 16% of
tasks. That applies to our maintenance our new growth strategy and the strong staff were recruited at the recommen-
workshops, for instance. The mainte- opportunities it offers our employees dation of DB employees. We want to
nance workshop management system are not yet fully recognised. We need leverage this even more. There have
there is digitalising certain workflows, to increase DB Cargo’s visibility on also been internal changes: we have
cutting down on paper and bureaucracy the market as an attractive employer realigned the recruiting process from
and adding clarity. Everything is and ensure that layoffs are a thing of the applicant’s perspective.
entered into an app, material can be the past.
reserved, and volumes can be queried. What tasks did the HR division take
In this way, digitalisation is helping to How are you doing that? on for these changes?
reduce the burden of administrative
tasks and paperwork that falls on U B _ We are putting various recruit- U B _ We want to fulfil our responsi-
employees so they can intensify their ment marketing and recruiting meas- bility for business performance. That
focus on the core competencies of their ures into effect to increase our visibil- means that we assist managers as an
work in areas that create added value. ity: we are expanding Performance HR partner. This entire staffing pro-
Marketing to promote job vacancies at cess, for example, is supported and
You want to hire a lot of new DB Cargo as needed. That includes implemented by our internal DB talent
employees. How are you going Google keywords, job aggregators and acquisition organisation. It pools the
about it? recruiting events. By using geofencing requisite expertise for the entire pro-
marketing, we can appeal to target cess to run efficiently and from a single
U B _ Germany and many other groups at specific locations. For exam- source. So ideally, everyone does what
European countries are complaining ple, in the DB Cargo 2017 autumn cam- they do best: HR is a consultant and
THESE ARE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE
Digitalisation is changing employees’ tasks. Three examples:
Train drivers Planners and chief dispatchers Data analysts
More than ever, the train drivers at The story of DB Cargo’s growth is built DB employees, external scientists and
DB Cargo ensure reliability and customer on tailor-made solutions for customers. creative staff work at Deutsche Bahn’s
quality. In addition to their traditional Planners and chief dispatchers implement Asset and Maintenance Digital Lab. They
duties, they now also use digital tools to new services and business models in use historical data to create new business
drive more efficiently and for profes- production management. They have an models and services for customers.
sional development and orientation on affinity to digital solutions and also undergo
new routes. further training on an ongoing basis.
260 2 / 18 FO C U S
How is the project being imple- Do you have any initial results yet?
mented?
CV U B _ We have some strong successes
U B _ Online-based software is a criti- to point to: we have now found people
1998 cal pillar of the project. It makes HR to fill roughly two-thirds of all job
Dr Ursula Biernert studied in Passau work more digital by following the vacancies. At DB Cargo, we have taken
and completed her PhD in Munich.
motto “Speed. Convenience. Perfor- a step forward in our efforts to entice
She first entered the field of HR at
mance.” At the same time, it makes the the best employees to work for us. Ulti-
Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg in 1998
jobs of managers, employees and our mately, that means that we in the HR
2001 HR professionals easier. In addition, division are making a considerable
Head of human resource manage- we are strengthening integrated staff contribution to the company’s perfor-
ment for subsidiaries and interna- support, and thus setting the frame- mance and the satisfaction of our cus-
tional assignments at Dr Ing. h.c. F. work for managers to exercise respon- tomers. №
Porsche AG in Stuttgart sible management. The objective is for
From 2009 to March 2013 our employees to enjoy working at our
she was Vice President of Human company and deliver the best possible
Resources & Communications at performance.
Thales Deutschland GmbH, Stuttgart
So you are ensuring better working
Since 1 April 2013
conditions...
she has headed Human Resources at
DB Cargo as part of the business
U B _ Right, because that is critical to
unit’s management team
being viewed as an appealing
employer, both internally and exter-
nally. Training is a key element of the
process. To that end, we started the
2020+ training campaign to create a
standardised, efficient and transpar-
ent model for functional training at DB
Cargo. The content and methodology
of training sessions like these are
adapted to the relevant needs. They
help to ensure that new employees in
new environments are well-equipped
expert for employee and organisa- and can carry out their jobs compe-
tional topics. Managers manage their tently at all times.
employees and assume responsibility
for them. However, we are not doing How have the employees reacted to
this by ourselves, but as part of a net- these changes?
work within the DB Group.
U B _ We aspire to give our employ-
Could you elaborate on that? ees a reason to renew the choice they
made to work at DB Cargo and their
U B _ In the summer of 2015, commitment to the company every
Deutsche Bahn created the Future of day, and we are doing a very good job of
HR Management project to mount a it. We keep a comprehensive portfolio
response to the changes in today’s ready for this: from onboarding for
workplace. The project reduces admin- new employees, to professional devel-
istrative workload at many levels, opment and employee management, to
which frees up time. That shores up a wide variety of formats for sharing
our trained HR organisation as a key experiences. Apart from information
partner and helps managers take on sharing per se, we are also strengthen-
more responsibility for their employ- ing the sense of solidarity and enabling
ees. It also adds to transparency top management to keep its finger on
throughout the company. the pulse of the organisation.
27I N N OVAT I O N S & S O L U T I O N S 0 2 / 18
Blockchain technology
in logistics
In the world of logistics, the
digital age began a long time
ago. First came IT tools and
the ability to perform smart
analyses, and now complex
administrative processes
are next in line – the block-
chain model could help
international logistics ser-
vice providers and their
customers operate in a safer
and more transparent way.
mation. The chain stores information Many companies are currently test-
in encrypted data units, known as ing potential applications of block-
blocks, using a broad network rather chain. Deutsche Bahn, for example, is
than a single, centralised computer. looking into possible uses for block-
The transaction blocks are reviewed chain technology that include smart
W
by all actors in the system before they contracts, which could be documented
are saved and updated, and they are transparently in online blockchain
hile logistics does validated as part of the saving process. records. The city of Rotterdam is inter-
involve building and The result is a kind of decentralised ested in harnessing blockchains to pro-
operating complex database containing up-to-date infor- vide new services. Partnering with the
supply chains, it also mation that companies and private city, the Port Authority of Rotterdam
deals with the question individuals can use to make payments started what it calls the BlockLab. Rot-
of how to rapidly process reams of and perform other transactions with- terdam plans to use its lab to test ser-
information transparently and relia- out involving banks or brokers as vices such as inventory financing,
bly. With this in mind, blockchains intermediaries. which will allow credit lines to be
hold a great deal of potential for com- extended to companies based on their
panies grappling with logistics issues. High volume, slow speed
Any company, whether a vessel-oper-
ating ocean carrier, freight forwarder Blockchains do have some downsides,
or rail freight company, can improve its however. For instance, the processes
internal processes by making a strate- underlying them slow to a crawl under Potential savings –
gic investment in this new technology. heavy processing loads. This can occur even today, as much as
Particularly when it comes to interna- when data stored in the blocks accu-
50%
tional traffic, blockchains could help mulates to huge amounts over time, as
build customer confidence in the sta- BVL International notes. Data queries
bility of processes and the security of performed on blockchains are also con-
data. This is why the transport indus- siderably more sluggish than they are
try is following a trend that has spread in normal databases. Finally, block-
across the entire logistics industry. chains still have quite a few legal hur- of transport costs can be
Blockchain, which refers to a chain of dles to clear. Bearing all this in mind, it attributed to paper-based
transaction blocks, is a decentralised is not yet clear what impact the new documentation
system for storing and verifying infor- system will have on the industry.
280 2 / 18 I N N OVAT I O N S & S O L U T I O N S
_ The Pioneering
Spirit, the largest
working ship in the
world, in the Port of
Rotterdam.
BLOCKCHAIN MODEL
The term blockchain refers to a
4 list of transaction records, also
known as a chain of blocks.
Recipients
receive transaction data,
which makes them the
proprietors of the infor-
mation or data
3
Miners (network)
supply computing power
and verify the transac-
tion records
2
inventories. One of the lab’s first pilot
Relay (swarm)
projects is focused on a manufacturer’s checks and confirms
e-bikes. The manufacturer’s bank the legitimacy of the
grants it a line of credit, which is transaction data. Block-
backed by collateral in the form of bat- chains maintain their
transparency because
teries stored in its warehouse which
they are monitored on
have yet to be mounted on bikes. Both the network
parties exchange data directly through
the blockchain. This is one way the
system will create opportunities for 1
new services to be provided at various
points in the supply chain. Senders
send information and
Communication along the data as transactions,
supply chain adding to the blockchain
Blockchain technology also creates
opportunities to simplify billing and
provide intermediate financing at var- The Port Authority of Antwerp is
ious stages of the transport chain. At also interested in using blockchain to
present, there are often 15 to 20 steps automate container handling. The
that have to be taken by various part- technology has the potential to sim-
ner companies in order for a single plify communications among the more
company to secure financing. To than 30 different players involved,
make things worse, fees are incurred including transport companies, con-
at every step, adding up to a percent- signers, freight forwarders and drivers.
age of the transported items’ value. When goods are transported by con-
Using blockchain technology, a single tainer, as much as half of the transport
bank could handle the entire financ- costs are attributable to the prepara-
ing process from start to finish, which tion of paper-based documentation, so
would slash transaction costs by up to blockchain technology could cut costs
a third. in a big way. №
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