Digitaler Befehl
Progressive web app by DB InfraGO and BVU for transmitting written operating orders digitally in rail operations – run in Deutsche Bahn's cloud environment.
- Client
- BVU / DB InfraGO
- Industry
- Mobility & Transport
- Period
- since 2023
- Duration
- Ongoing engagement
- Role
- Full-Stack Engineer → Technical Product Owner
Context
Digitaler Befehl (“digital written order”) digitizes the written operating orders that rail operations have traditionally handed over on paper. DB InfraGO, Deutsche Bahn's infrastructure company, and the consultancy BVU Beratergruppe Verkehr + Umwelt are jointly developing a progressive web app for this purpose in Deutsche Bahn's cloud environment. The system is classified as requiring a very high level of protection and is being developed under railway standards including EN 50716.
I have worked on the project as an external Technical Product Owner and Full-Stack Engineer since 2023. My engagement combines technical delivery, product work, and collaboration with the teams involved. Digitaler Befehl has been available for voluntary use throughout Germany since December 15, 2025.
Challenge
Written operating orders, used when rail service deviates from normal operations, have traditionally been handed over on paper. Digitizing this safety-relevant process requires operational workflows, traceability, and regulatory requirements to work together.
CENELEC railway standards, including EN 50716, set requirements for development, testing, and documentation. The cloud deployment also had to be integrated into Deutsche Bahn's existing safety and infrastructure environment.
The project therefore combines web development with documented safety evidence, defined development and deployment processes, and close coordination across product, engineering, and operations.
Implementation
The platform combines a React and TypeScript frontend with backend services based on Kotlin and Quarkus. Defined interfaces and automated delivery processes support incremental development in Deutsche Bahn's cloud environment.
Architecture Highlights
- Cloud-based deployment: Operated in Deutsche Bahn's cloud environment
- React + TypeScript frontend: User interface for operational order workflows
- Kotlin + Quarkus backend: JVM-based backend services with defined interfaces
- Safety context: Developed in a project environment governed by standards including EN 50716
My contribution
I have worked as an external specialist on the joint DB InfraGO and BVU project since 2023. My initial focus was full-stack engineering; as the project progressed, I took on the role of Technical Product Owner.
Today, I help prepare architecture and technology decisions and connect them with backlog refinement, sprint planning, and alignment between product requirements and implementation. This keeps product work grounded in technical reality.
Mentoring is another important part of my role. I help team members become productive in the stack, conduct code reviews, and support the team in establishing shared quality standards.
Tech stack
The stack combines React and TypeScript in the frontend with Kotlin, Quarkus, PostgreSQL, containerized services, and automated delivery processes.
- React
- TypeScript
- Kotlin
- Quarkus
- Docker
- PostgreSQL
- GitLab CI/CD
- Microservices
- Scrum
