Technical Visits

You must first register online for the UITP Summit.

If you have an Expertise or Exchange Pass, you will receive a separate email inviting you to select your technical visits.

No, to access the technical visits you must have an Expertise or Exchange Pass.

Please contact our registration team who can arrange this for you. Simply email registration_summit@uitp.org

Please see our full programme for the latest information.

Photo credit: © vhh mobility

The visit will showcase an important new tool to improve the customer journey through public transport for visually and hearing impaired people. Through the hvv custom app, passengers with visual and hearing impairments receive dynamic passenger information at the bus stop and in the vehicle.

Participants can expect a bus ride during which the functions of the app and the connection to the bus control centre will be demonstrated.  Members of the Hamburg Association for the Blind will be involved in the technical visit.

Good info to know: The app was developed in cooperation with more than 70 visually and hearing impaired test users. It can be also used as a white label solution by other operators and authorities.

Photo credit: © NMS New Mobility Solutions Hamburg GmbH/Enno Bekermann

As one of Europe’s leading cities in smart and sustainable mobility, Hamburg is showcasing 17 flagship projects that will represent the city at the UITP Summit. These projects cover a wide range of urban mobility solutions, spanning from electrification and digitalisation projects to large scale construction and urban planning innovation.

Participants can expect an exclusive tour aboard an electric bus. Along the way, you’ll gain first-hand insights into sustainable mobility solutions and public transport innovations. To enhance the experience, participants will gain a hybrid on-site and digital experience using tablets for real-time transport data and project videos.

Good info to know: Hamburg’s overarching policy goal to reduce CO2 emissions to 55% compared to the baseline year 1990 by 2030.  To achieve this goal, Hamburg follows the strategy called “Hamburg-Takt” (Hamburg sets the pace), which aims at increasing the modal share of walking, cycling and all forms of collective and shared mobility to 80% by 2030. With an unparalleled expansion of public transport as well as the extensive integration of shared mobility modes, the Hamburg-Takt envisions a city that in 2030 can offer everyone a mobility service within five minutes waiting time.

Photo credit: © Hamburger Hochbahn AG

The visit will showcase Hamburg’s way for people to move freely without owing a car. hvv switch is a platform that digitally (hvv switch app) and physically (hvv switch stations) enables multimodal mobility in Hamburg. More than 220 hvv switch stations across Hamburg offer dedicated parking spaces for mobility services like car-sharing, ride-pooling and bike-sharing while the hvv switch app allows users to book, use and pay for shared mobility options.

Participants can expect a guided tour and presentation of hvv switch station ‘Dammtor’. During the tour you will get insights into the planning, implementing, and operating of mobility hubs.

Good info to know: Hamburger Hochbahn AG started to build mobility hubs in 2013 as a means of interlinking public transport with other shared mobility services, initially close to large intersections in the public transport network. Since 2017, mobility hubs have increasingly been placed in densely populated neighbourhoods to provide shared mobility services at the start of a journey.

Photo credit: © vhh mobility

The visit will showcase an autonomous driving project that demonstrates inclusive, resilient and safe use of the technology for a driverless ride-pooling service. The ride-pooling service hvv hop connects a district that is located south of river Elbe to the central (suburban) rail stations. The next step for the ride-pooling service is trial operation of a mixed fleet – part conventional and part autonomous.

Participants can expect the visit of a small, space saving but fully electrified bus depot with additional inclusive electric on-demand shuttles. The depot is based on the limited space possibilities in a highly dense urban area and could also be interesting for smaller cities and communities with less space requirements. The visit includes a presentation of a vehicle and insights into fleet operation.

Good info to know: Public mobility service provider vhh.mobility operates buses in Hamburg and the regions surrounding the City of Hamburg. With their experience operating in both high-demand and low-density areas they have been on the forefront of innovative solutions including the integration of ridepooling with public transport.

Photo credit: © LSBG 

The visit will showcase the technology transition in public transport prioritising  towards Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) with Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology. V2X technology enables seamless communication between vehicles and infrastructure and is used for a dynamic and demand-based prioritisation of buses at traffic lights. Networking via near and far field communication and universal traffic light control logistics are featured in the project called ITS Cube. ​

Participants can expect  demo bus rides on a specially designed pilot track, where visitors can experience ITS prioritisation in action. A highlight of the tour will be the stop for a presentation on cutting-edge technology at the impressive Hamburg Bunker.

Good info to know: The tour features traffic light control by TRAPEZE.

Photo credit: © Hamburger Hochbahn AG/David Goltz

The visit will showcase Hamburg’s efforts towards a fully electrified bus fleet that will become a reality by the early 2030s. Hamburg’s bus operators have been procuring only emission-free buses since 2020. Most of the new vehicles are electric buses with depot-charging technology so the bus depots are undergoing a significant transformation as a result of the electrification of the fleet.

Participants can expect a tour across the Alsterdorf e-bus depot, boasting more than 200 parking spaces with access to electric charging and all the necessary technical infrastructure. You can for instance explore a separate transformer station and a workshop that has been adapted for the maintenance of electric buses.

Good info to know: Hamburg has a long history with alternative fuelled buses: At the beginning of the millennium the biggest fleet of hydrogen buses was operated in Hamburg. Hydrogen buses are still in use, but so far only small numbers are available on the market. Since there is no tram network in Hamburg, the city relies on a large fleet of around 2000 buses to provide a public transport service complementing the urban rail network.

Photo credit: © ALSTOM

The visit will showcase a solution for advanced automated train operations. The Autonomous Regional Train Evolution (ARTE) project focuses on retrofitting existing trains to achieve the highest level of automation (GoA4), ultimately enhancing capacity and efficiency without the need for new infrastructure. In case assistance is needed, trains can be remote controlled from a control room or by a train attendant.

Participants can expect a demonstration of the remote train control in an area near the station Hamburg Harburg.

Good info to know: This technical visit is organised by Alstom. Collaboration among key stakeholders, including the Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen, German Aerospace Center and the Technical University of Berlin, as well as funding by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection has been crucial for the project’s advancement.

Photo credit: © MOIA

Experience MOIA’s vision for the future of autonomous mobility in ridepooling. During the visit, you will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the operations at MOIA’s ridepooling hub, where autonomous ridepooling services are coordinated.

Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the ridepooling hub, learn about the ID.Buzz AD—MOIA’s autonomous vehicle—and discover the workings of the Fleet Control Center, which oversees the entire autonomous fleet.

Good info to know: This Technical Visit is organised by MOIA.

Attention: Please note that MOIA shuttles, used during the visit, are generally not equipped for people with reduced mobility. If you require special assistance, contact us in advance so we can arrange an appropriate vehicle.

Photo credit: © Stadler/NAH.SH

The visit will showcase a solution for trains for tracks without overhead contact lines. The 55 two-car FLIRT Akku battery operating since 2023 make up the world’s first battery-electric train fleet in regular scheduled service. Stadler maintains the trains for the Schleswig-Holstein Transport Association (NAH.SH) at its ultra-modern and purpose-built facility in Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein.

Participants can expect a ride on the innovative FLIRT Akku battery train from Hamburg to Rendsburg. At the Rendsburg facility we will show how the maintenance of the battery trains is performed. The tour will also include the signalling technology at the facility, which is manufactured and installed by Stadler. After the site visit, we will return by train to Hamburg. A lunch snack will be included.

Good info to know: This Technical Visit is organised by Stadler and NAH.SH. The project is a result of an innovation partnership between NAH.SH) and Stadler.

Attention: Please wear sturdy shoes and practical clothing. The site is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Lunch (snack) is included.

Photo credit: © HOLON/Hamburger Hochbahn AG

The technical tour offers an exclusive preview of HOCHBAHN’s Autonomous Driving Hub, which will be used for the test operation of a on-demand ridepooling service starting 2026. The state-of-the-art Autonomous Driving Hub (AD-Hub) for the HOLON vehicles is designed to meet the unique requirements of operating autonomous vehicles.

Participants can expect a visit of the AD-Hub for the HOLON people mover, which is currently under construction. You will gain valuable insights into AD-Hub’s features that cater specifically to an autonomous fleet and its needs when it comes to parking, charging, maintenance, and vehicle preparation.

Good info to know: Hamburg’s biggest public transport provider HOCHBAHN has joined forces with ride-pooling specialist MOIA and autonomous vehicle expert HOLON for this demo project. It is specifically designed with a view to a future roll-out of autonomous ride-pooling and a possible large-scale integrated fleet that would consist of vehicles from different manufacturers.

Photo credit: © MOIA

Discover one of Europe’s most advanced autonomous vehicle projects, currently being tested on the streets of Hamburg. In collaboration with Volkswagen, MOIA is pioneering autonomous driving with its ID.Buzz AD fleet.

Participants will have the opportunity to take a test ride in a self-driving vehicle and engage in discussions about MOIA’s experiences in operating an autonomous fleet.

Good info to know: This Technical Visit is organised by MOIA.

Attention:The tour includes a test ride in a self-driving vehicle that is not yet in full passenger service. You will be required to sign a legal disclaimer before participation. Please note that this vehicle is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Photo credit: ©BVM/Robin Lindner

The visit will showcase the integration of the public transport network and walking infrastructure that helps people to easily move around the city. Hamburg focuses on walkability, connectivity and accessibility elements in the design when it comes to reshaping stations and their environment.

Participants can expect a walking tour in and around the Dammtor station presenting the core elements of its transformation.

Included elements are the design of the station itself as well as the improvement of a walkway between the stations of Dammtor (S-Bahn and national rail) and Stephansplatz (metro).

Furthermore, a public square in front of the station, which used to be dominated by a car park, was transformed into an attractive entrance to the public park and a newly pedestrianised area leading to the Congress Centre.

Good info to know: 90% of all public transport trips involve walking – either for the first and last mile or during interchanges. At the same time at least 30% of people have special needs when it comes to mobility which comes with a set of demands regarding accessibility and safety that affects pedestrian infrastructure as well as public transport infrastructure.

Photo credit: © BVM

The visit will showcase how cycling and public transport can be combined in the best possible way. Bicycle culture “Radkultur“ Hamburg is the umbrella brand combining all of Hamburg’s cycling offers in order to simplify their use and make the transition to sustainable transport options more attractive.

Participants can expect a bike tour presenting various measures for linking cycling with public transport like the so-called “Radstation”, where cyclists can park their bikes safely and securely at stops, and the StadtRAD Hamburg bike sharing system that has over 30 stations and around 4,000 bikes. Priority for cycling at traffic lights and an automatic cycle counting network – two of Hamburg’s digital cycling projects – will also be on show. Moreover, the newly developed and user-centred sign-posting system for cycling, the implementation of safety elements at junctions and public transport hubs will also be presented during this technical visit.

Good info to know: The umbrella brand “Radkultur” is backed by Hamburg’s Alliance for Cycling and Walking. This interdisciplinary network of all stakeholders involved in the cycling and walking landscape is an important driver and enabler of the project’s success.

Attention: This is a cycling tour. You must be able to ride a bicycle in order to participate.

Photo credit: © Hamburger Hochbahn AG

The visit will showcase Hamburg’s solutions for barrier-free access to the metro stations. Some of the stations are more than 100 years old with high complexity since there have been changes and additions over time. The make-over of Hamburg’s metro network is part of the German implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Hamburg. It is being realised in close cooperation with the Competence Centre for a Barrier-free Hamburg as the experts for accessibility and representatives of people with reduced mobility.

Participants can expect a tour of different metro stations that have recently been made accessible. The learnings from Hamburg’s experiences will focus on specific challenges of existing underground metro stations in the city centre: how to involve stakeholders and interest groups, take account of protection of historical monuments and commercially and touristically important sites. The visit will be lead by Hamburger Hochbahn AG.

Good info to know: After starting the make-over in 2011, a whopping 96% of Hamburg’s metro stations are accessible to people with reduced mobility today. All of them have a lift, elevated or partly elevated platforms that enable stepless access to the metro vehicles and a tactile guidance system.

Attention: The tour involves a fair amount of walking. Please wear sensible shoes.

Photo credit: © Hamburger Hochbahn AG

The visit will showcase digital wayfinding systems and indoor routing using AR technology at Hamburg’s second busiest station. Jungfernstieg is a large public transport hub in the city centre that is very complex to navigate, even for locals. It is therefore uniquely qualified as a testing ground for innovative passenger guidance and passenger information systems.

Participants can expect a walking tour through the station with all the highlights of innovative signage including the ongoing rollout of train displays (TFT monitors) with an intuitive layout at information-relevant locations.​

Good info to know: The project includes elements of collaboration with passengers in order to make sure that information and guidance systems are accessible to all people.

Photo credit: © HADAG

The visit will showcase the new multimodal real-time passenger information system for waterborne public transport in the Port of Hamburg. Waterborne transport is an important element of Hamburg’s public transport network due to the city’s geography. Hamburg’s operator of waterborne transport, HADAG, implemented a passenger information system that brings real-time, multimodal passenger information to piers and ferries.

Participants can expect a trip on a new hybrid plug-in-battery/diesel harbour ferry and a presentation of the 3-year project that introduced new real time passenger information systems in 2024. It is based on a pure SaaS system-setup that is modular, scalable and easy to maintain. The information system is complete with accessibility features for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility.

Good info to know: In Hamburg ferries are an important part of public transport and fully integrated into the network. The ferry fleet is currently undergoing an important transformation: the so called “Neuland” is the first hybrid ferry to start its service in Hamburg in 2024. The future fleet shall be fully electric.

Photo credit: © Hamburger Hochbahn AG/Thies Raetzke Images

The visit will showcase the future of metro operation based on CBTC. The upgrade of metro lines U2 and U4, originally constructed between the 1960s and 2020s, from GoA1 to GoA2 is a basic prerequisite for the desired 100-second interval of the metro. Partial automation requires a cutting-edge system sending real-time train data via radio.

Participants can expect a guided tour through a retrofitted vehicle and insights into the technology required along the tracks. Furthermore, you will have the possibility to experience Hamburg’s next-generation metro system through a driving simulator. The automation and energy saving features for metro lines will be presented at one of the newest and most spectacular metro stations, Elbbrücken.

Good info to know: Starting 2026, our first metro trains will run direct, precise and dynamic, offering minimum service intervals and a maximum number of trains. The project spans across 21 metro stations and 25 km rail track and creates extra capacity for more passengers.

Photo credit: © Siemens AG

The visit will showcase two pioneering projects in rail transport digitalisation. The intelligent operations control technology project Digital S-Bahn Hamburg 2.0 aims to optimise train operations in real time while achieving energy savings. The innovative real-time train occupancy detection solution DB Lightgate uses advanced optical sensors in order to capture occupancy levels, train type, carriage count, and speed.

Participants can expect a highly automated S-Bahn roundtrip from the station Dammtor to Bergedorf, accompanied by insights into the “Digital S-Bahn Hamburg 2.0” project. During the technical visit, the DB Lightgate team will demonstrate how occupancy data is visually represented to optimise passenger flow.

Good info to know: Since 2021 Hamburg’s provider of suburban rail services, S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH, has been operating four highly automated trains on a line section, using the ETCS and ATO technologies. The project under the title of “Digital S-Bahn Hamburg” was a highly successful cooperation with the City of Hamburg, Deutsche Bahn AG and Siemens Mobility.

Photo credit: © BVM

The visit will showcase Hamburg’s pioneering efforts in strengthening taxis for a better and integrated public transport through smart policies and innovation. In collaboration with the Hamburg-founded and now European taxi player FREENOW, Hamburg brings together all related experts to explore how regulatory frameworks, digital solutions, innovative pricing models, and incentives for electrification can shape the taxi sector of the future.

Participants can expect a visit to FREE NOW’s headquarters situated at the river Elbe. An open forum for discussion on the evolving role of taxis will be accompanied by good coffee and a light breakfast. You will have an opportunity to engage and network with the key players who have made Hamburg a role model for an innovative taxi sector in Germany.

Good info to know: Since the beginning of 2025 all new taxis in Hamburg have to be emission free. Therefore, the City of Hamburg provided special funds for taxi operators that have supported the procurement of 700 vehicles. The funding was also used to procure accessible vehicles and install charging infrastructure.

Photo credit: © Hamburger Hochbahn AG/Axel Heimken

The visit will showcase a large-scale metro construction project aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent compared to conventional construction methods. The new and automated metro line U5 will not only significantly increase in the efficiency of Hamburg’s public transport system in the future but already today explores new ways forward in sustainable construction.

Participants can expect a tour across the construction site in City Nord. You can visit a gallery walk along our info points, go onto the construction field and get an overview of the construction site and talk to our experts about the sustainable construction and autonomous driving of the U5 metro line.

Good info to know: The new metro line U5 will cross Hamburg from Bramfeld in the East to the Arenas in the West creating 25km rail track and 22 new stations until the 2040s. Construction is planned to in parallel at different locations in order to open several sections early and reap on U5’s positive effects for the overall public transport network as soon as possible.

Attention: Safety gear will be distributed on site. The site is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Photo credit: © moka-studio

The visit will showcase the structural redesign of Hamburg’s city centre to accelerate the switch to sustainable mobility and further improve the quality of time spent in the city centre. Hamburg’s strategic approach aims to create more attractive spaces for pedestrians, improve accessibility, and reduce the amount of parking and traffic in the city centre.

Participants can expect a guided walking tour through the city centre to discover how new road infrastructure can facilitate city development. Stops at central places that highlight Hamburg’s mobility transition, presenting the example of the nearly completed renovation of the new Jungfernstieg, one of Hamburg’s most iconic places on the banks of the inner-city lake Alster.

Good info to know: Many stakeholders were involved in the redesigning of Hamburg’s city centre in order to ensure acceptance of the changes made. Three different construction phases lead to its current state.

Photo credit: © DB InfraGO AG

The visit will showcase Hamburg’s solution for the overburdened central station and the congestion on the shared rail tracks leading into Hamburg. Hamburg is the largest metropolitan area in the north of Germany and has the third largest number of commuters in all of Germany.  The new suburban railroad line S4 will improve the connection between the City of Hamburg and its metropolitan region.

Participants can expect a tour of the construction site and a visit of the S4 info train. The construction site includes a so-called “construction island”, an area cleared of train traffic by diverting trains onto adjacent newly constructed tracks. Additionally, you will see preparatory work for the new overpass, which will enable a grade-separated crossing between the new S4 line and the existing S1 line. Further, you get to see the innovative MetaWindows, a cutting-edge technology for transparent noise barriers.

Good info to know: Starting in December 2029, the new suburban railway line S4 will connect the district of Hamburg-Altona in the West to the town of Bad Oldesloe, located northeast of Hamburg.

Attention: Please wear sturdy shoes. Further safety gear will be distributed on site. The site is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Photo credit: © Frank Molter Fotografie

The visit will showcase Hamburg’s Urban Data Platform Hamburg (UDP_HH),  a digital service that enables the virtual representations of physical environments and processes in urban areas so called urban digital twins, based on more than 600 datasets. from geobasis data. It provides the foundation for data driven decisions, valuable for professionals in urban planning and development, political, and administrative decision-making, private companies, universities, and the citizens of Hamburg. The platform’s  relies on vendor independent APIs and open source infrastructure, making it easily adaptable for other cities.

Participants can expect an interactive presentation featuring a Virtual Reality model visualization that covers the entire city of Hamburg, based on detailed building and terrain models. This offers an immersive 3D experience. A projection table displays both static and dynamic datasets from the UDP_HH onto a physical model, creating new opportunities for urban development and citizen engagement.

Good info to know: A VR visualization platform, set to be developed by the end of 2025, will enable multiple users to simultaneously view and interact with VR models using VR headsets. This will facilitate real-time collaboration, fostering a shared understanding – especially in scenarios involving multiple stakeholders or public participation initiatives.