DB E.C.O. North America

Railroads in North America have long struggled to quickly simulate the real-world impact of operational decisions - from adjusting train priorities and launching new services to managing corridor congestion. At DB E.C.O. North America, we created a solution: RailQ. RailQ is a fast, data-driven service that helps railroads test operational scenarios before they’re implemented, bringing clarity to complex decisions. - Subdivision models in under 30 seconds - Regional models in 90 seconds - System-wide analysis in under 5 minutes Built for flexibility, RailQ scales from corridor-level (micro) to network-wide (macro), helping quantify trade-offs without unnecessary complexity. And it’s more than just software. RailQ is a service - calibrated with real operational data, tailored to your network, and supported by our team every step of the way. Connect with us and learn more about RailQ. 

Last week, our CEO Ulrich Leister participated at the 10th German American Business Forum in Munich, a key platform for strengthening transatlantic economic relations. He joined the panel on “Marketing and Sales in the U.S.: Strategies for Sustainable Success in a Digital Era,” sharing insights on the U.S. market, the story and strategy of DB E.C.O. North America's success, and the importance of fostering business collaboration. Thank you to Gerrit Ahlers and the AHK USA-Chicago for the excellent moderation and for hosting us. We look forward to next year’s forum. Photos © Goran Gajanin

Last week, our colleague Klaus Daniel Heine gave a presentation to students from the Mineta Transportation Institute Summer Transportation Academy about the California high-speed rail project. The students had an excellent opportunity to learn both theoretically in the classroom and practically outdoors - wearing helmets, boots, and safety vests while exploring the rail site. They visited Fresno in the Central Valley and toured the Cedar Viaduct, one of the largest current construction projects of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The students asked many insightful questions and showed great engagement! Thank you for including us; we look forward to next year’s event.

Last week, our colleague Thorsten Krenz presented at American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference in San Francisco, contributing to a seminar on "Lessons Learned from High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Around the Globe." On an international panel with experts from Japan and France, discussions centered on leveraging decades of global high-speed rail experience to enhance U.S. passenger rail. Thorsten shared the German perspective, highlighting the need to prioritize passengers and transform stations into mobility hubs for seamless door-to-door travel. At DB E.C.O. North America, we focus on enhancing the passenger experience to meet rail travelers' diverse needs. Interested in learning more? Visit our website https://lnkd.in/eW5AYiKu

Last week, a high-level delegation, led by Minister Hubert Aiwanger from the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy), visited North and South Carolina to promote knowledge exchange on “Energy and Mobility Transition.” The delegation was hosted at the historic Robert Mills Carriage House. Our colleague, Stefan Leistner, Principal Management Consulting, participated in the event, sharing insights into DB E.C.O. North America’s approach and mission, while engaging with key stakeholders including General Counsel Melanie Moltmann, Senator Jeffrey Zell, and Clarke Thompson from the South Carolina Department of Commerce. We thank our hosts for the warm reception and the valuable opportunity to strengthen transatlantic collaboration. It was a great chance to connect, share ideas, and build relationships. Photos by: StMWi & Stefan Leistner

Traveling at 251 mph (405 km/h) through Germany, almost a new record was set in high-speed rail last week when Deutsche Bahn and Siemens Mobility tested a new carriage, coming close to the 1988 Intercity-Express train record of 253 mph (406.9 km/h). The focus of the test was on analyzing wheel-rail interaction, aerodynamics, acoustics, and passenger comfort at extreme speeds. This project highlights the complexities of high-speed rail systems and underscores the importance of seamless collaboration. Without a coordinated approach, achieving such speeds would be impossible. At DB E.C.O. North America, we partner with leading rail suppliers worldwide, supporting testing and product deployment. Our Fleet Design services focus on creating accessible, sustainable, and innovative train interiors and exteriors to enhance passenger experience. Interested in learning more? Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eBAAMA6U

This week, Yoav Hagler, Vice President of the Technical Consulting Department, presented at the Commuter Rail Committee at the American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference in San Francisco on key trends and insights from “The Future of Commuter Rail in North America,” a report published by the Transportation Research Board and authored by DB E.C.O. North America. The report explores how commuter rail systems can adapt to post-pandemic travel patterns, shifting from a downtown-centric approach to more flexible, regionally focused services. It offers practical strategies for addressing market, service, and funding challenges, providing a clear roadmap for agencies navigating uncertain ridership levels and changing commuter demands. DB E.C.O. North America takes pride in being a trusted expert in commuter rail strategy, planning, and transformation. Thank you for the engaging and productive discussion!

Transatlantic relations are strengthened by the people who actively shape them. Over the past few years, Joachim Eichhorn, PhD played a key role in strengthening transatlantic ties in transportation as the Transportation Attaché at the Embassy of Germany in Washington, D.C. From industry dialogues to events like “Track is Back,” his efforts helped to connect stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic in meaningful ways. It’s been a pleasure working with you, Joachim – thank you for your dedication! We are looking forward to continuing this important work with the new Transportation Attaché, Maren Bode. Welcome to Washington, D.C.!

Last week, a delegation from the United States organized by American Public Transportation Association attended the UITP conference in Hamburg, Germany. The day prior to the conference, the delegation was hosted by Hamburg Hochbahn and met with Anjes Tjarks, Minister for Hamburg’s Transport and Mobility Transition, who shared Hamburg’s mobility strategy and emphasized the importance of transatlantic collaboration. The visit included guided tours by DB E.C.O. North America station experts of Hamburg Central Station, presentation about the major infrastructure project of S-Bahn Hamburg new metro line S4, and the Operations Control Center. This exchange of insights and experiences reinforces the value of transatlantic collaboration in advancing sustainable and innovative transportation solutions.

Last week, DB E.C.O. North America took part in the 2025 Eno Center for Transportation Future Leaders Development Conference in Washington, DC, engaging with top transportation graduate students from across the U.S. Supporting emerging talent remains a priority, and we are proud that Maha Ahmad received the DB E.C.O. North America fellowship for this event. The week for the fellows was filled with meetings and insights from influential industry leaders shaping the future of transportation. Additionally, our colleague Paul Lewis contributed to a panel on sustainability and resiliency, discussing decarbonization and strategies to address increasing weather challenges. We look forward to next year’s conference!