Deutsche Bahn aims to be climate neutral by 2040 and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. A key lever here is improving energy efficiency. Within the Group program Green Rail Technology, DB is developing innovative solutions to increase the productivity of facilities and automate processes. One example is the conversion of depot doors in maintenance facilities to automatic closing technology.

Saving heating energy automatically 

The automatic opening and closing of the depot doors works with modern laser technology: a sensor detects trains the incoming and outgoing trains inside and outside the depot hall. When a train is detected, the door opens automatically and remains open while the train passes through. Once the train has cleared the doorway, the door closes again automatically after a short time. Forklifts and cargo bikes passing in front of the entrance are recognized as cross traffic, keeping the doors shut.

The new locking technology has several advantages: in winter, heat loss is reduced and heating energy is saved. Thanks to optimized opening times, the hall stays warmer for longer and cools down less quickly. The conversion can save up to 15% energy per year. Process efficiency is also improved, as dispatchers no longer need to operate the doors manually. In addition, since self-closing doors prevent mice or birds from straying into the halls, cleaning efforts are also reduced.

DB Regio has already converted the first depots to the modern closing technology, including the facilities in Munich-Pasing, Münster, and Frankfurt am Main (S-Bahn). Further locations are already in planning.

At the same time, there will continue to be depot doors where conversion to automatic control is not worthwhile — for example, where doors are used only rarely or specific operational requirements speak against it.