Rail is the future: more and more people want to use public transport for a variety of reasons. This makes it all the more important to meet this demand by increasing capacity. The further expansion of infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult in urban centres. In addition, tighter timetables and more trains on the tracks also mean potentially more susceptibility to disruption. To skilfully combine all these requirements, the Verband Region Stuttgart and DB Regio S-Bahn Stuttgart have opted for a very special solution:

ETCS (European Train Control System), the European standardised train control system developed for high-speed traffic, is to be used for the first time in Germany for highly frequented S-Bahn areas. The new Stuttgart Central Station and the S-Bahn network in the Stuttgart region will be the first major railway junction to be equipped with digital interlockings and the European Train Control System ETCS as part of the Stuttgart Digital Junction project. The node is a pilot project as part of the ‘Digital Rail Germany’ starter package.

ETCS is used to control and influence train movements on the railway network. The signal box monitors whether a train is authorised to travel on a section of track. ETCS level 2 without signals (oS) is to be introduced in Stuttgart. ETCS level 2 (oS) takes over the signalling and train control and therefore also determines the speed of the trains. Conventional signalling systems along the line can be dispensed with. The route signals only exist virtually and the corresponding information is displayed directly to the driver in the driver's cab in advance. Data is transmitted continuously and in both directions.

With ETCS Level 2(oS), trains can enter stations and stations closer together. This makes it much easier to compensate for previous stop time overruns. The ‘build-up’ of train delays is reduced. In addition, the introduction of ETCS provides the basis for an increase in speed on the main line, which can serve to reduce delays.

For example, blocks up to 30 metres short will be formed on the particularly busy S-Bahn main line. This alone can reduce the train sequence by around half a minute. Further optimisations are possible. For example, further potential can be realised by introducing partially automated driving (ATO GoA 2) in conjunction with a traffic management system.

In order to be able to effectively implement the denser operation of the network, the Verband Region Stuttgart has procured a total of 58 new trains, which will provide the necessary increase in capacity in the network.

The new technology will be put into operation step by step. The current commissioning concept for the Stuttgart 21 project envisages that the new main station will go into operation with the new signaling technology at the end of 2026. At the same time, the stabling station in Untertürkheim and the long-distance station at the airport are to go into operation. The extended S-Bahn main line with the new Mittnachtstraße station is scheduled to go into operation with the new technology in summer 2027. Prior to this, the new technology can be tested on the digitized existing Stuttgart-Vaihingen - Filderstadt line from spring 2027. From this date, S-Bahn trains will run on a line without signals for the first time in Germany. For the S-Bahn, this means that the section between Vaihingen and Filderstadt will be the first time in Germany that S-Bahn trains will run on a line without signals from May 2026. The conversion of the required S-Bahn multiple units for the new technology is in full swing. Approval for the 430 series for the new technology has been granted. The first test runs have already taken place.

In the following years, ATO GoA 2 (a type of remote-controlled cruise control), a traffic management system (CTMS) and the new rail operations radio FRMCS will be used.

The new possibilities with ETCS are to be implemented directly for S-Bahn passengers. In addition to a significant stabilization of the S-Bahn timetable, additions are initially planned in the core area. When the new technology comes into operation in 2027, four more trains per hour will run from the northern branch beyond Schwabstraße to Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Two more of them to Böblingen. In conjunction with the new Mittnachtstraße S-Bahn station, many passengers will no longer have to change trains at the main station, which will help to further stabilize operations.

The new control and safety technology is to be rolled out not only in the core area but across the entire Stuttgart region. Funding has now been secured for this project, which is also known as Building Block 3 of the Stuttgart Digital Node. The funds for planning and implementation have been released. The first contracts are to be awarded at the beginning of 2026. The overall project covers the entire rail network in the Stuttgart region, including the S-Bahn.

As usual with such a large project, the financing is made up of different components:

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