Deutsche Bahn Enhances Passenger Information with AWS Cloud
DB Passenger Information and a variety of experts like our affiliate Orange Business worked together on creating a central data platform for the Deutsche Bahn that distributes information consistently across all connected channels. Based on Big Data technologies on top of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the passenger information in DB’s mobile app is now synchronized with the display board on the platform and any other information channels facing the customers.
The biggest challenge of the project lies in DB’s highly complex, safety-critical environment. Every day in DB’s network around 60 million tracking incidents occur and are processed by the platform. In view of the enormous volume of data, the capacities required for near-real-time data processing and the need for access from different locations, it was clear from the outset that the new application would have to be developed and operated entirely in the cloud. The decision to do this in cooperation with AWS was made very early on, as their infrastructure and services optimally meet the requirements of Deutsche Bahn.
Another challenge was that the trains are not clearly marked, a GPS signal is only available for a few models. It is also difficult to identify which physical wagon is located at which point.
Achieving Data Consistency with a Single Point of Truth
A Single Point of Truth ensures consistent data distribution across channels, overcoming complex interfaces and outdated protocols with the requirements listed below:
Deutsche Bahn uses the Single Point of Truth to deliver consistent, real-time passenger information across all channels.
Machine Learning for accuracy
In particular, the division and unification of trains is not easy to represent logically. For this reason, the project uses machine learning to identify, for example, in which direction a train travels, where it separates or merges.
The corresponding system architecture which is based on a timetable builder had to be developed. It generates a complete target timetable, combining the customer timetable and the so-called operating timetable. This target timetable is used to create short-term timetable changes as well as real-time data such as train position messages from the track sensors.
“For the first time, we were able to generate a consolidated view of data from completely independent systems,”
- explains Tobias Buser
Teamlead Development
Microservices for consolidating data sources
Microservices are now used to consolidate data from various sources, evaluate it and then stream it consistently to information channels such as platform displays and kiosk systems at stations or the DB Navigator. One of the first customer-effective milestones: track changes are now recognized more reliably and measurably earlier with the help of the processed data.
Testimonial - Teamlead Development
Tobias - Teamlead Development
He’s excited to be part of such a challenging project of digital transformation.
