Planqc 2025
Quantum Leap for Transportation: DLR’s QCMobility Initiative Helps D-Fine, Planqc, and Partners Increase Efficiency in Intermodal, Road, and Rail Logistics
In order to unlock the potential of quantum computing for a more sustainable, efficient, and demand-oriented future of mobility, the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) Quantum Computing Initiative (DLR QCI) has launched a groundbreaking project through its QCMobility project, commissioning the consortium of D-Fine, a leading European consulting firm, and Planqc, a state-of-the-art quantum computer manufacturer. In order to address the growing complexity in the planning of contemporary transport and logistics systems, where traditional computers are reaching their limits, this ambitious project brings together a wide network of partners from research and industry to methodically test how quantum-based algorithms can revolutionize various transport sectors.
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QCMobility is organized into a number of crucial sub-projects that are overseen by the DLR Institute of Quantum Technologies. These sub-projects each address unique and intricate problems in the transportation ecosystem.
QCMobility | Rail Transport: Addressing Difficult Optimization Issues The DLR Institute of Transport Systems is leading one of the main sub-projects, QCMobility | Rail Transport, which is methodically investigating the use of quantum-based algorithms in actual railway situations. Project goals include fewer delays, better route planning, and more efficient timetables. Daily, dispatchers and transport planners must make complex decisions in seconds. Considering road construction, extreme weather, delays and network bottlenecks in real time or giving trains precedence when a line is closed are critical decisions.
According to the in a closely coordinated rail operation, even small disturbances can result in significant delays, thus prompt and precise responses are essential. Long-term route and schedule planning also has its own set of complications, including the evaluation of several dependencies and eventualities. It is anticipated that quantum optimization techniques would enhance these decision-making procedures far more quickly and thoroughly than traditional techniques.
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Hessische Landesbahn, DB InfraGO, and ÖBB Infrastruktur are important partners that are contributing real data and useful, practical use cases for this sub-project. Contributing its knowledge on quantum-enhanced AI is the Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems (IKS). Using real timetable data and booking information, the project’s technique entails converting real-world problems into mathematical models and using quantum-based optimization to solve them. The final objective is to evaluate the actual potential of this technology by contrasting the outcomes with those obtained using traditional techniques and creating a trustworthy roadmap for the future application of quantum computers in the railway industry.
QCMobility | Intermodal Transport: Improving Supply Chain Effectiveness QCMobility | Intermodal movement is another important sub-project that looks into how quantum computers might improve the planning and control of freight movement across various modes, such as roads, trains, and waterways. Optimizing intricate planning and control procedures along multimodal supply chains is the main goal in order to facilitate the vital transition to more ecologically friendly railroads.
This sub-project focusses on creating real-world use cases that are mapped as mathematical optimization issues, such as managing handling procedures and organizing intricate transport networks. Dynamic systems present significant hurdles for conventional approaches since several modes of transportation need to be carefully coordinated. Industry partners like UIRR (International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport), Kombiverkehr (a combined transport operator), and TriCon (a trimodal transhipment terminal operator) support the consortium, which is led by d-fine and planqc. These partners provide their knowledge and information as subcontractors.
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QCMobility | Road Transport: The Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) supplies logistics and QC expertise, and Europe’s largest inland port, Duisburg, is an ally. Real-world data like route, itinerary, and booking information is needed to establish realistic quantum-based optimization research and evaluation situations.
Road Transport: Intelligent Urban and Rural Mobility | QCMobility With an emphasis on on-demand and delivery services, the QCMobility | Road Transport sub-project tackles the difficulties associated with both urban and rural transport. The goal is to apply quantum algorithms to increase the intelligence of dynamic processes, like route planning and the usage of appropriate stops. This project aims to offer solutions for managing expanding traffic, rising delivery and mobility requirements, and constrained public space while also adapting quickly to demand and traffic conditions in real time.
The project focusses on two main application areas: urban delivery services (CEP), which includes courier, express, and parcel services, and on-demand transport (DRT), which includes demand-oriented mobility services using flexible vehicles. Similar issues face both systems, such as limited road space, changing specifications, real-time demand, and the critical issue of allocating and using virtual stops or loading zones as efficiently as possible.
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This sub-project is coordinated by D-fine and planqc, working with partners including Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH and DB Regio Bus as subcontractors who supply data and real-world expertise. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) offers research expertise in mobility and logistics, while Dachser, a logistics company, adds its inner-city logistics knowledge as an associated partner. To assist transport and logistics firms in intricate, dynamic planning procedures, particular application scenarios are created, translated into mathematical models, and examined utilizing specially created quantum algorithms.
Constructing a Quantum Environment The goal of the DLR QCI, which is in charge of the QCMobility project as a whole, is to create a strong environment for the industrialization of quantum computing in Germany. It unites industry, start-ups, and research to jointly develop manufacturing technologies, quantum computing, and related applications. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action funds the DLR QCI’s innovation centers in Ulm and Hamburg, which offer office space, workshops, and technology equipment to support this.
As the first spin-off from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Planqc was established in April 2022 with the goal of creating neutral atom-based quantum computers as quickly as possible for industrial use. With more than 1,500 workers, D-fine is well known for addressing quantitative and analytical problems and creating long-lasting technology solutions for a wide range of customers. Using actual use cases and data sets from real-world applications, they are leading the way in the development and assessment of quantum-based optimization techniques.
This cooperative endeavor marks a turning point in the pursuit of demand-driven, efficient, and sustainable mobility. The QCMobility program is actively creating a robust, useful ecosystem where academics, start-ups, and industry collaboratively create skills in addition to looking for new solutions through quantum computing by bringing together top specialists and utilizing real-world data. The objective is to create a solid roadmap and conduct a comprehensive analysis of the enormous potential that quantum technology actually presents for the transportation industry as a whole.
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