Deutsche Bahn and Alstom have carried out a test deployment of remote train driving on a commuter train in a real depot environment in Munich. The trial involved operating an S-Bahn unit from a remote control centre, marking the first customer-operated test of this type on a commuter train in Germany.
The system is designed for depot movements such as shunting and positioning trains for maintenance or stabling. According to the project partners, remote operation can reduce walking distances for staff in depots and speed up routine movements, improving efficiency and workforce utilisation.
The test setup uses a local 5G network and a generic driving interface that can be applied to different train types. A gateway links the existing train control and management system with the remote workstation, allowing older vehicles to be adapted without full replacement of onboard systems. Additional cameras and sensors were installed on the train to provide situational awareness for the remote operator.
The solution is technically compatible with both existing fleets and new trains and has been demonstrated on several commuter train series in Germany. The partners see the trial as a step towards wider digitalisation of depot operations, with the potential to integrate remote driving into regular maintenance and stabling processes in the future.
