Project lead Christian Dörfler (IABG) is pleased with the recognition and thanks those involved in the project: “Developers are shaping the future of public transport together with the operator – intelligently, safely and sustainably.” The prize was awarded by the Center for Transportation & Logistics Neuer Adler e.V. (CNA).
Under the leadership of IABG from Ottobrunn, the project is being driven forward together with the consortium partners Stadtwerke München (SWM) and GERSYS GmbH from Wolfratshausen, Germany. The focus of the innovation project is now on the flexible linking of the simulator’s three most important functional areas: vehicle technology, driver training and track simulation. This unique combination creates a comprehensive overall picture in the run-up to large projects and enables a significant acceleration of the implementation of new mobility infrastructures.
The simulator shows how modern assistance systems can make tram traffic safer and more efficient. The aim and benefit is to use it as a development platform for the user-centered prototyping of modern assistance systems for the trams of the future. With the information obtained in this way, operating companies, for example, are able to generate reliable and verified requirement specifications. This creates a high level of decision-making certainty in procurement and saves costs. “The simulator allows us to first virtually test various assistance systems and test them in realistic traffic situations. This makes tram traffic even safer. We also see potential in training, but also in the operational assessment of vehicle concepts or planning variants of new lines. With the simulation, we can make all this tangible in real time,” says Oliver Glaser, Managing Director of Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (MVG).
“The award recognizes not only the technological innovation of the project, but also the successful cooperation with our partners. It underlines the leading role of Bavarian companies in the development of forward-looking solutions for the mobility of tomorrow,” says Thomas Köhler, Managing Director (COO) of IABG. IABG’s focus is on safeguarding new mobility concepts and technologies.
Virtual tram operation is supported by (pre-)implemented driver assistance systems and multifunction displays from GERSYS as a digital interface. “We are very pleased about the award from the CNA and see it as an incentive to make our contribution to even more safety,”says Thorsten Sprenger, GERSYS General Manager. “Our goal is to further develop our systems for trams in such a way that the drivers can see even better in real time what is happening around the vehicle.” Another project partner is the 3D visualization company optify GmbH.
The tram simulator impressively illustrates how this works in practice. For the most realistic and detailed operation possible, Optify has converted an MVG-specific section of the route into a 3D environment model. In cooperation with IABG, a complex simulation network was developed on the software side to map the multifaceted tram operation in different traffic situations. In addition to the perspective from the driver’s cab, users can also slip into the role of a passenger or other road users with the help of virtual reality glasses to experience external human-machine interfaces. “In addition to the possible applications in the training and testing of assistance systems, we can also benefit from the versatile possibilities of simulation in the context of public relations work: Citizens and residents can experience new lines realistically even in the early planning phases,” explains Alex Indra, Head of the Large-Scale Mobility Projects Division at SWM.
About IABG
Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH (IABG) is a leading European technology company with the core competencies of analysis, simulation & test and plant operation. “Security” is the thematic umbrella of the solution portfolio: security of newly developed high-tech products and means of transport as well as security of the state, economy and society. In this context, IABG provides technical and scientific services for private and public customers in the automotive, rail & rail, energy technology, aerospace and defence sectors as well as for the public sector. IABG employs around 1,200 highly qualified employees at its headquarters in Ottobrunn as well as in customer-oriented branches in Germany and abroad. www.iabg.de
About Stadtwerke München
SWM keeps Munich running around the clock: As one of the largest municipal companies in Germany, SWM stands for a secure supply of energy, city-friendly mobility, sustainable telecommunications services and the best drinking water from the Bavarian foothills of the Alps. With our services, we are an important part of municipal services of general interest and make a major contribution to the economic strength and quality of life in Munich and the region. The mobility subsidiary MVG is responsible for the subway, bus, tram and MVG bike. With over 11,000 employees, SWM is one of Munich’s largest employers. www.swm.de
About GERSYS GmbH | a company of the HÜBNER Group
As a leading supplier of instrumentation in the driver’s cab of rail and special vehicles, GERSYS develops and manufactures reliable on-board electronics such as graphic displays (HMI/IDU/MMI). The railway technology company’s product range includes vehicle computers as well as display and driver assistance systems, which are characterized by high quality and special durability. Founded in 2001, the company is based in Wolfratshausen near Munich and employs around 50 people at the site. Since 2019, GERSYS GmbH has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the HÜBNER Group. HÜBNER has around 3,500 employees at over 30 locations around the globe. www.gersys.de
