Precise knowledge of utilization data is crucial for the efficient management and improvement of rail transport in Germany. The German Centre for Rail Transport Research (DZSF) of the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) has initiated the “MONI” research project to collect utilization data on rail freight transport, local rail passenger transport and long-distance rail passenger transport using an interdisciplinary approach.

As part of this research project, existing approaches from passenger rail transport for collecting capacity utilization data are to be reviewed and further developed for freight transport using modern methods. Technological advances in big data and AI will be used to open up new opportunities for data collection and analysis in rail transport.

We are looking forward to contributing to the research: Our focus is on the identification and analysis of capacity utilization indicators in rail freight transport and the techniques used to measure them. Interview studies will be used to identify key utilization figures and requirements for a monitoring system.

Stakeholders from the rail freight transport sector such as operators, terminal operators, freight forwarders, rail transport companies and freight transport companies will be interviewed. Our overarching goal is to develop a solid knowledge base for future innovative, data-based solutions in rail transport capacity management.

The project is being carried out by IndustrieanlagenBetriebsgesellschaft (IABG) mbH as the DZSF project representative in cooperation with Interautomation Deutschland GmbH, RS Consult Holding UG and the Technical University of Darmstadt.

Here you can find out more about how we are helping to shape the future of freight transport.