Eight years after the launch of their first technology partnership, SNCF and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have signed a new cooperation agreement with a focus on innovation.
SNCF President Jean-Pierre Farandou, DB President Richard Lutz, SNCF Director of Innovation Carole Desnost and DB Director of Digitalisation and Technology Daniela Gert Tom Markotten signed the agreement strengthening the existing cooperation.
Concentration of technical expertise
With this new agreement, SNCF and DB will share their technological and digital expertise to build the rail system of the future. The goal is to improve the quality of customer service, performance and attractiveness of rail transport through innovation and technology.
While rail is already one of the greenest modes of transport, SNCF and DB’s cooperation also includes sustainability initiatives to further reduce environmental impact and increase social responsibility.
Current efforts are focused on the future European rail system, including its structure and various technological modules such as digitized trains, satellite-based train location and future 5G communication systems. The two companies aim to accelerate progress in key areas such as digital freight to improve cross-border trade.
Additionally, it aims to promote the use of artificial intelligence in train operations and station congestion analysis, promote open source applications for infrastructure and timetable design, and explore the potential of quantum computing.
SNCF and DB are working together on a vision for sustainable stations, defining common indicators, best practices for public welfare, sustainable design solutions and climate change adaptation. The two companies are collaborating on standardization of battery and hydrogen trains and sustainable train maintenance.
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