I spent a few days in Germany this week (my first trip there in 3 years) and I was struck at the superb infrastructure in most aspects of the trip
a) Frankfurt Airport
No wait in the non-EU passport arrivals line. The immigration officer asked me just one question “How long will you stay?” and with a smile said “there’s the first stamp on your new passport”. Over the decades I have transited through this airport at least 50 times, and when I compare it to other international hubs like JKF, CDG and LHR I am struck by how efficient FRA continues to be even as the number of wide bodies – 747s, A 340s and now A380s keeps expanding.
b) Frankfurt Marriott
I last stayed here 15 years ago. It has been extensively refurbished with a sculptural roof with fascinating design concepts
“The flying reticulated shell, created from an inverted tree growth algorithm, is supported on the supports of the underground garage. The tree-like mesh was statically optimized with a Finite Element Analysis method to arrived at a minimal deployment of steel. The result was doubly curved surfaces, which depict the distribution of forces of the structural framework. A unity of form and structure.”
The rooms have gone through similar renewal. My room had the Gerloff Magic Shower with mood lighting, music, temperature and other electronic controls
The wifi in hotel room was 20 mbps down and 4 mbps up according to Speedtest.Net – impressive for a complimentary service in a hotel. My back up dumb Nokia phone with an O2 SIM picked up a signal through most parts of Germany.
c) Taxis and Autobahn
The taxi service I used this week had mostly Mercedes E class station wagons.
Spotlessly clean, they had panoramic sun roofs, impressive navigation, communication apps, seat ergonomics, and Parktronic technology. One of the drivers gave me a taste for the Autobahn as he took the speed up to 200 kph (125 mph). He told me he goes up 240 kph in his personal BMW. Others on the trip told me about Mercedes lane assist and other features and BMW’s ConnectedDrive where the car is really a moving smartphone. The road and the auto technology has to be some of the best in the world.
d) Trains
To check out how the East has evolved (I was in East Berlin in 1988 just before the Wall fell) I took an ICE train to Dresden, on my way to Prague.
The platform and track infrastructure and other tech made me wish I had more than more a few minutes at the Frankfurt Main station. The ease with which two trains coupled to become our extended train is impressive – see video below.
Our train left just 6 minutes late and yet the driver apologized and blamed the inbound train we had just coupled with! Many Germans grumble Deutsche Bahn has gone to hell. A gentleman who sat next to me described how even a few minutes delay means missed connections and loss of reserved seats. He said it is happening too frequently.
I, for one, enjoyed my reserved seat with nice recline, power outlet and audio entertainment in the smoke free, quiet (cellphone free) section.
DB has plenty of other tech as with QR codes for its schedules
The DB conductor carries plenty of tech – like a scanner for electronic tickets
e) Eastern Germany renewal
An impressive example of the infrastructure renewal is the in city of Dresden. Leveled during WW II, it languished during the Communist period, and has been gradually restored in the last two decades as with the dome of the main station. The E. German countryside was dotted with wind turbines from the train.
Many Germans I spoke to think the infrastructure has actually deteriorated as more investment went post-reunification into upgrading the Eastern part. Tough for me to fathom how it could be much better.
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