Annopol marks a new milestone in the development of Warsaw’s tram infrastructure. The depot was planned as an integrated overall system that closely links structural and technical components with digital control.
Long before the first trams leave the Annopol depot in the early morning hours, a precisely coordinated process is already underway. Vehicles are assigned to lines, track routes are cleared, hall doors are opened, and maintenance workflows are coordinated. The foundation for this is the continuous collection and processing of data, as well as precise alignment with the tightly scheduled timetable. What remains invisible to passengers relies on the close interaction between technical and digital infrastructure.
Annopol as a Reference Project
With Annopol, Straßenbahnen Warschau GmbH (Tramwaje Warszawskie Sp. z o.o.) commissioned the largest depot in its history in 2024. The facility covers an area of nearly twelve hectares, features more than 14 kilometres of track, and includes around 100 switches. It is designed to accommodate up to 152 trams in the future. Currently, approximately 90 vehicles leave the depot each morning, including 20 closely consecutive departures during the morning and evening peak hours.
From the outset, Annopol was conceived as an integrated overall system. Infrastructure, energy management, and operational workflows were to be directly interconnected. As a result, PEAK.DMS – a Depot Management System (DMS) – was introduced already during the construction phase. On a unified platform, it brings together traffic routing within the depot, vehicle dispatching, maintenance coordination, and the integration of technical systems.
Central Control of Depot Operations
The DMS ensures smooth operations even under high utilisation. Arrivals and departures, vehicle provisioning, maintenance and service processes, as well as the monitoring of technical systems, all take place in parallel. Since delays within these processes affect journey execution and punctuality, vehicles must be assigned to lines and dispatched in a timely manner. Maintenance and workshop stays must also be coordinated in a way that does not disrupt the flow of traffic within the depot. Shunting journeys are to be minimised, tracks, halls, and service areas are to be used appropriately, and infrastructure conditions are to be continuously taken into account.
The scope of factors considered during dispatching is illustrated by the example of vehicle assignment. When planning target tracks and vehicle deployments, the DMS draws on fleet data as well as information on upcoming maintenance processes. On this basis, it assigns vehicles to lines and blocks. Upon returning to the depot, vehicles are allocated to a service, diagnostic, or washing station depending on their condition and the work scheduled for them.
In addition, the system helps reduce avoidable shunting movements within the depot. Based on the current vehicle status and available tracks, it determines a suitable target track for each tram and assigns it directly. This allows bottlenecks to be identified early and unplanned stops to be significantly reduced. The current status of the power supply is also factored into sustainable depot operations. During automatic track route setting, the system continuously takes into account the status of selected power sections.
Real-Time Vehicle Localisation
The precise determination of vehicle positions forms the technical foundation for depot operations. At Annopol, 84 RFID antennas, 66 sensors, 272 track circuits, and five induction loops have been installed for this purpose. All localisation elements are accurately mapped in the digital track layout. This allows every tram to be uniquely identified and assigned to its location. Based on this information, the DMS controls vehicle movements within the depot in an automated manner. It sets 85 switches automatically, monitors a further 29 switches, and integrates 99 signal systems. In total, the system coordinates approximately 2,000 track route settings per day in this way.
Part of a Broader Digitalisation Strategy
Annopol is part of the infrastructure measures with which European cities are adapting their transport systems to climate targets, rising passenger numbers, and increasing technical complexity. At the same time, the integrated depot control is embedded in a broader digitalisation strategy. It forms part of a company-wide rollout of an integrated information system that provides detailed data on operational workflows.
A Platform for Future Developments
Annopol sets new benchmarks for the modernisation of Warsaw’s tram infrastructure. The close integration of infrastructure and system control makes the depot a reference project for the further development of operational processes — and at the same time creates a solid foundation for future innovations.
The author: Karol Michałowicz has built extensive expertise in the energy sector over the course of his career, particularly within the environment of public transport companies. Today, he serves as Head of Sales at Peak Mobility Sp. z o.o., Poland. In this role, he focuses on building long-term customer relationships and supports companies in implementing software solutions for tram and bus depots.
