bahnverkehrsmanagement

Bahnverkehrsmanagement, or rail traffic management, designates the set of processes and systems used to plan, coordinate, and control railway traffic to ensure safe, reliable, and punctual train operations.

Its scope includes long-term timetable development, capacity allocation of track and stations (Fahrweg), assignment of routes to trains, and the orchestration of rolling stock and staffing.

In real time, Bahnverkehrsmanagement is executed in traffic control centers where dispatchers monitor network status, respond to disruptions, and issue instructions to train crews and infrastructure controllers. It integrates signaling, train protection systems, and communications with operations planning.

In Germany, the infrastructure manager DB Netz AG, together with railway operators and authorities, is responsible for Bahnverkehrsmanagement within the framework of safety regulations and European standards such as ETCS/ERTMS.

Technology and practices include centralized or distributed traffic control, timetable-based capacity planning, and the use of digital tools for data exchange, incident management, and performance analysis. The goal is to maximize capacity, minimize delays, and maintain safety.

Key challenges are capacity constraints, weather and technical disruptions, cross-border traffic, and the need for data-driven optimization and interoperability across different systems and operators.

See also Bahnverkehr, Fahrwegmanagement, ETCS, ERTMS, Betriebsführung.