Projects

Passenger Information for Deutsche Bahn

On behalf of Deutsche Bahn, we supported the development of the new frontend for the central information platform RIS-Info. This platform consolidates all operational data of rail traffic - from train running times and delays to events at stations - and processes it for different user groups. The task was to create a modern and customizable interface that is both responsive and extensible while complying with current DB design guidelines. Through the implementation of a customized dashboard system, the integration of external data sources, and the use of agile methods, we created a flexible solution that meets the demanding requirements of DB and rail travelers.

Client
Deutsche Bahn AG
Year
2022
Klickmeister
Carlos Bystron, Patrick Erasmus, Bernhard Kelm

The RIS-Info Platform of Deutsche Bahn

The RIS-Info platform is a central information platform of Deutsche Bahn (DB) and serves as a comprehensive system for aggregating and distributing real-time data from various subsidiaries, trains, and subsystems. It consolidates essential information such as delays, running times, and disruptions, and processes this information in a user-friendly way for different user groups. As the platform is compared to a "telephone directory" for the DB Group in terms of its significance, it is considered one of the company's most important applications.

Project Requirements and Technical Challenges

DB planned a relaunch of the RIS-Info platform with a modernized backend and an adapted middleware system, which is managed internally. The goal was to develop a more flexible and scalable solution designed to meet the needs of different user groups. The relaunch focused particularly on the frontend, which in the previous version was neither customizable nor mobile-friendly. The main requirements included:

  • Responsiveness and Customization: The new platform had to function smoothly on mobile devices and offer various dashboard views that enable users to have a personalized data overview.
  • Extensibility: The platform was designed from the start to allow future data and services to be integrated without major restructuring.
  • Design Adaptations: The new frontend had to adopt the current DB design for a consistent user experience, which was originally developed for external applications.

Project Team and Collaboration

The project was implemented using the Scrum methodology. Several partners and teams were involved:

  • Project Management and Development: DB's project management and external UX experts handled the implementation and adaptation of the design for internal applications.
  • Middleware and Backend: The backend and middleware were revised. This required close coordination with DB's DevOps guild.
  • Frontend Development and Integration of External Data: A major part of the challenge was integrating services that ran outside the middleware and were ultimately incorporated using Web Components.

Ongoing Optimizations and User Focus

Although the project was scheduled for five months, the development ultimately took around six months to fully adapt the platform to DB's requirements. After the initial rollout, the new platform initially ran parallel to the old version to identify and fix any "teething problems."
Since the relaunch, the RIS-Info platform has been continuously developed further. Based on feedback from regular user surveys, additional functions for enhanced customization were subsequently implemented. This allows users to configure their views according to their individual information needs.

Conclusion and Outlook

The technical modernization of the RIS-Info platform represents a future-proof solution for DB that meets the increasing demands in real-time information management. Through regular updates, the platform remains customizable and extensible, enabling it to maintain its central role in the DB Group over the long term.