DB E.C.O. North America

At DB E.C.O. North America, our mission is to help our clients innovate their product and service portfolios, elevate their business performance, and build a great company that attracts people who are excited to make sustainable changes in the mobility sector. To accomplish this, we prioritize the cohesion of our team members who are based across the US and Canada. Most recently,?our Management Consulting team had the opportunity to combine professional development, team-building, and hands-on learning during a team gathering in Florida. Their time together was both learning and rewarding. Some of the highlights included: ?????? Brainstorming new ideas and solutions in workshops ?? Visiting a railway maintenance facility tour ?? Riding the train ride from Orlando to Miami ?? Gaining insights into innovative approaches to public transportation When we consistently build connections with our clients and within our team, we fulfill our vision to assist our North American clients in developing the mobility world of tomorrow through outstanding, long-lasting, and significant enhancements in their business and organizational performance.

?? Our very own Clayton Johanson proudly represented DB E.C.O. North America at the kickoff of the German American Chamber of Commerce Delegation, focusing on AI, Smart Cities, and Sustainable Mobility in Chicago, IL. He shared valuable insights on shaping the future of our urban environments. Clayton outlined challenges facing transit agencies in a post-COVID world and the opportunities in governance and technology that can be leveraged to restore ridership and thrive. A special thank you to the other fantastic speakers who helped make the event a success: - Karla Ruth Orozco Toledano, World Business Chicago - Mark Piekos, Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership ?? Together, we’re paving the way for innovation and sustainability in our cities! Photos by: GACC Midwest - German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. and Clayton Johanson

?Last week, the Mpact Conference was held in Philadelphia, where our colleague Paul Lewis contributed to the "Regional Day: The Future of Regional Rail" program. Paul shared valuable insights on reimagining the regional rail network in Greater Philadelphia and the Tri-State Area. In his presentation, Paul highlighted innovative strategies employed by Deutsche Bahn in Germany over the past few decades. He emphasized that by prioritizing market needs over simple ridership numbers and focusing on service quality rather than just infrastructure, we can adapt these practices to enhance the appeal of regional rail systems in the U.S. Effective capacity management will also play a crucial role in creating a more attractive and affordable regional rail experience for all. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who collaborated and shared their expertise during this event. Your contributions are vital as we explore transformative solutions for transit-oriented communities in our region. Together, we are making significant strides toward a more integrated and efficient rail system! ??

??? DB E.C.O. North America was honored to participate in the 2024 Commuter Rail Summit last week in Boston! On the last day of the conference, Paul Lewis moderated a compelling fireside chat regarding the current state of the industry, the opportunities on the horizon, and the challenges they face in realizing their visions. Key topics included the need to adapt services to modern travel patterns, as well as obstacles related to funding, track capacity, and the political will to implement significant changes. A special thank you to the panelists for their valuable insights: - Philip Eng, MBTA - Jody Ray, MBTA - Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain - Michael Noland, South Shore Line - Jennifer Mitchell, FHWA DB E.C.O. North America is committed to develop effective solutions for transforming the future of commuter rail. ??

?? Celebrating the Return of the California Passenger Rail Summit! ?? DB E.C.O. North America is proud to support the California Passenger Rail Summit held in San Diego last week. The Rail Summit was a huge success and a much-needed coordination and networking opportunity for the passenger rail industry across California. Special thanks to @SANDAG, @LOSSAN, and the planning team for hosting this amazing event.? Our colleague, S. Yasmin Ara, Consulting Manager, served as session moderator for the "Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Program."?She led an insightful discussion on the future of intercity rail corridor development in the state. The session focused on the importance of coordinated planning and innovative tools to maximize opportunities through Corridor ID and deliver passenger rail service throughout California. A special thank you to the panelists for their valuable insights: - Barbara Moreno, FRA - Shannon Simonds, Caltrans - Jim Allison, Capitol Corridor JPA - James Campbell, LOSSAN ?? Together, we are shaping the future of rail in California!

Last week, we hosted the Rail Innovation Exchange at One World Trade Center in NYC, gathering industry leaders to discuss how commuter rail can adapt to modern challenges. Event Highlights: ???CEO Round Table:?Moderated by Paul Lewis, this panel featured Benjamin Limmer (Chief of Public Transportation, Connecticut DOT), Darrell Smith (Director for Statewide Planning, Maryland MTA), and Thorsten Krenz (CEO, ONxpress Toronto). They shared valuable insights on navigating shifts in travel patterns, revenue, and costs, along with strategies for advancing the industry. ???Enhancing Passenger Experience:?Dr. Svenja Leister emphasized the importance of improving customer satisfaction, presenting Deutsche Bahn's latest initiatives designed to enhance the passenger experience. ???Digital Rail & Maintenance:?Dr. Volker Hentschel and Stefan Leistner discussed how DB's digital strategy and innovative maintenance solutions are transforming Germany's rail network. They highlighted the “Digital Rail Germany” initiative, which aligns network overhauls with cutting-edge train control technology to boost capacity and efficiency. A heartfelt thank you to Carsten Ruepke, Deputy Consul General of the German Consulate in New York, for his insightful remarks on strengthening the transatlantic relationship. Thank you to all our speakers and attendees. We look forward to continuing the conversation at our next Rail Innovation Exchange!

Today is #ZeroEmissionDay, a global initiative aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation. Rail transport is a prime example of climate-friendly mobility. Its inherent ability to move large quantities of goods efficiently means that, around the world, it is already operating overwhelmingly at zero emissions, thanks to catenary electrification. Now, efforts are underway to address diesel-powered operations with battery- and hydrogen-powered trains, with DB leading the way. Additionally, DB is taking a holistic approach and has committed to becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2038. This vision is reflected in the work of DB ECO North America, where we combine local and global expertise to support our clients in developing net-zero strategies. To learn more, reach out to our Center for Net Zero Transformation in Rail and Transit or visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eCRx9UBY

September is Rail Safety Month in the U.S., and it is a great opportunity to celebrate the incredible safety advancements in rail transportation! Transit agencies and railways nationwide are spotlighting their best practices and sharing tips to ensure everyone has a safe and pleasant experience around rail stations and tracks. In addition, exciting advancements in rail safety technology are revolutionizing how we travel. For example, Deutsche Bahn is leading the way with cutting-edge safety measures across Europe. From the European Train Control System (ECTS) to innovative radar systems at crossings, these technologies are enhancing the reliability and safety of our rail systems. Rail transportation continues to evolve with these forward-thinking solutions, making it a safer and more efficient choice for travel. Let’s take a moment to appreciate these advancements and the dedication to keeping our journeys safe and enjoyable.

Have you ever wondered how Deutsche Bahn ensures its ICE long-distance trains are ready for their daily performance? As part of our Curated #InnoTrans 2024 Tour, attendees will be part of a guided tour of Deutsche Bahn’s ICE Maintenance Facility in Berlin-Rummelsburg. This maintenance facility services ICE long-distance trains across 10 hall tracks, offering exterior and interior cleaning, wheelset diagnosis, underfloor wheel lathe work, and more. With a workforce of nearly 1,000 people (including the Stralsund depot), the facility prepares approximately 75 trains per day, playing a crucial role in keeping ICE trains on track to bring passengers to their final destinations.

This could be you, riding one of our trains between Berlin and Munich and arriving in style. Join us on the Curated #InnoTrans 2024 Tour for a presentation on Deutsche Bahn's #HighSpeedRail connecting Berlin to Munich. This project, part of the German Unity Transport Projects, modernized 515 kilometers (320 miles) of rail, including 227 kilometers (141 miles) of new high-speed lines built for?300 kph (186 mph). Within the first year of opening, Deutsche Bahn's market share on this route jumped from 23% to 46%, and the number of passengers doubled to over 4.5 million. Attendees will learn about this major infrastructure upgrade and experience the high-speed train firsthand on their journey to Munich.