Setting the right course – for Philipp Merlitz, this principle applies not only to the rail network, but to all areas of mobility where user-centred digital solution concepts should be introduced. In this interview, Merlitz explains how he would like to contribute as a new member of the Advisory Board of the eco Mobility Competence Group and what experience the Senior Sales Manager Connected Mobility at T-Systems already brings to the table.
Which aspects of digital transformation in the mobility sector do you consider particularly promising, and why?
We can see in many other industries that digitalisation can make a major contribution to greater efficiency, particularly through measures such as networking, automation, or the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Both public passenger and freight transport, as well as private transport, still have considerable potential that should be more fully exploited in the future.
As a member of the Advisory Board, how would you like to enrich the work of the eco Mobility Competence Group?
Here I agree with Socrates: “I know that I know nothing.” In other words, my own knowledge is naturally limited. However, I would like to contribute the experience I have gained over many years in the IT and automotive sectors and combine it with the ideas of the other Advisory Board members. As a group with many different areas of expertise, we can generate valuable momentum for the topic of mobility.
What role do you see for innovative technologies such as AI and Big Data in the future development of the mobility sector?
The pace of development of AI applications is breathtaking, and this will also affect the mobility sector. However, it is crucial to set the right course now. We need to invest in interconnecting companies and enhancing digital infrastructure. These investments must be strategically planned and implemented to ensure lasting benefits.
In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges for sustainable mobility, and how can the eco Mobility Competence Group support this?
I recently booked a train ticket for my daughter to France. It could not be booked via the German railway portal due to the involvement of a French connecting train. We were almost forced to book a flight, which would have cost only slightly more. Ultimately, I was able to book the entire journey via the French SNCF. This example clearly highlights the existing hurdles in Germany. If we want to attract more passengers to public transport, the service must be simple, convenient and affordable.
The eco Mobility Competence Group can identify relevant fields of action and bring together idea generators with implementers in companies.
What experiences or projects from your professional career can offer added value for the eco Mobility Competence Group’s activities?
From my perspective, data platforms and the development of digitally connected ecosystems are already central topics within the industry. One specific example I would like to build upon is Catena-X. Numerous companies are collaborating here to enable secure and legally compliant data exchange. The main objective is to develop standards and use cases that benefit all partners. In the mobility sector, examples include Germany’s Mobilithek and the EU’s Mobility Data Space. These initiatives must continue to expand and deliver tangible added value for potential users.
What regulatory and legal priorities do you believe should be set for the mobility sector?
Many digital services rely on user data and its analysis – securely and anonymously, of course. This will grow significantly in the coming years. Users want both: access to high-quality services and protection of their personal data. Lawmakers must strike this balance for all parties involved while keeping the bureaucratic burden to a minimum.
In your opinion, how can cooperation between business, research and the public sector be improved?
This collaboration already exists in diverse formats. The focus should be on achieving better and faster results that are also practical to implement. Customer centricity is a highly effective approach, which involves integrating the user perspective from an early development stage. This significantly improves the chances of success for new technologies.
What motivates you personally to engage with the eco Mobility Competence Group?
The eco Mobility Competence Group is an ideologically neutral body without commercial objectives. This is a rarity in both politics and business. Freed from restrictive constraints, the group can agree on measures that truly advance society. That is something I am happy to support.
What stimulus would you like to see from the newly elected German federal government in 2025 for the mobility sector?
The new government should ensure clarity and planning certainty in the mobility sector through a binding and comprehensible transport strategy. This would already provide a solid foundation for accelerating implementation.
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