An integrated metro operation optimization to minimize energy consumption

Energy efficient techniques are receiving increasing attention because of rising energy prices and environmental concerns. Railways, along with other transport modes, are facing increasing pressure to provide more intelligent and efficient power management strategies. This paper presents an integrated optimization method for metro operation to minimize whole day substation energy consumption by calculating the most appropriate train trajectory (driving speed profile) and timetable configuration. A train trajectory optimization algorithm and timetable optimization algorithm are developed specifically for the study. The train operation performance is affected by a number of different systems that are closely interlinked. Therefore, an integrated optimization process is introduced to obtain the optimal results accurately and efficiently. The results show that, by using the optimal train trajectory and timetable, the substation energy consumption and load can be significantly reduced, thereby improving the system performance and stability. This also has the effect of reducing substation investment costs for new metros

Assessment of the worthwhileness of efficient driving in railway systems with high-receptivity power supplies

Eco-driving is one of the most important strategies for significantly reducing the energy consumption of railways with low investments. It consists of designing a way of driving a train to fulfil a target running time, consuming the minimum amount of energy. Most eco-driving energy savings come from the substitution of some braking periods with coasting periods. Nowadays, modern trains can use regenerative braking to recover the kinetic energy during deceleration phases. Therefore, if the receptivity of the railway system to regenerate energy is high, a question arises: is it worth designing eco-driving speed profiles? This paper assesses the energy benefits that eco-driving can provide in different scenarios to answer this question. Eco-driving is obtained by means of a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm, combined with a detailed train simulator, to obtain realistic results. Eco-driving speed profiles are compared with a standard driving that performs the same running time. Real data from Spanish high-speed lines have been used to analyze the results in two case studies. Stretches fed by 1 × 25 kV and 2 × 25 kV AC power supply systems have been considered, as they present high receptivity to regenerate energy. Furthermore, the variations of the two most important factors that affect the regenerative energy usage have been studied: train motors efficiency ratio and catenary resistance. Results indicate that the greater the catenary resistance, the more advantageous eco-driving is. Similarly, the lower the motor efficiency, the greater the energy savings provided by efficient driving. Despite the differences observed in energy savings, the main conclusion is that eco-driving always provides significant energy savings, even in the case of the most receptive power supply network. Therefore, this paper has demonstrated that efforts in improving regenerated energy usage must not neglect the role of eco-driving in railway efficiency

Traction Power Substation Load Analysis with Various Train Operating Styles and Substation Fault Modes

Simulation of railway systems plays a key role in designing the traction power supply 13 network, managing the train operation and making changes of timetables. Various simulation 14 technologies have been developed to study the railway traction power network and train operation 15 independently. However, the inter-action among load performance, train operation and fault 16 conditions have been fully understood. This paper proposes a mathematical modeling method to 17 simulate the railway traction power network with consideration of multi-train operation, driving 18 controls, under-voltage traction, and substation fault modes. The network voltage, power load 19 demands, energy consumption according to the existing operation are studied. The hotspots of the 20 power supply network are identified based on the evaluation of train operation and power demand. 21 The impact of traction power substation (TPSS) outage and short circuit on the power supply 22 network have been simulated and analyzed. The simulation results have been analyzed and 23 compared with the normal operation. A case study based on a practical metro line in Singapore 24 Metro is developed to illustrate the power network evaluation performance

SmartDrive: Traction Energy Optimization and Applications in Rail Systems

This paper presents the development of SmartDrive package to achieve the application of energy-efficient driving strategy. The results are from collaboration between Ricardo Rail and the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE). Advanced tram and train trajectory optimization techniques developed by BCRRE as part of the UKTRAM More Energy Efficiency Tram project have been now incorporated in Ricardo's SmartDrive product offering. The train trajectory optimization method, associated driver training and awareness package (SmartDrive) has been developed for use on tram, metro, and some heavy rail systems. A simulator was designed that can simulate the movement of railway vehicles and calculate the detailed power system energy consumption with different train trajectories when implemented on a typical AC or DC powered route. The energy evaluation results from the simulator will provide several potential energy-saving solutions for the existing route. An enhanced Brute Force algorithm was developed to achieve the optimization quickly and efficiently. Analysis of the results showed that by implementing an optimal speed trajectory, the energy usage in the network can be significantly reduced. A driver practical training system and the optimized lineside driving control signage, based on the optimized trajectory were developed for testing. This system instructed drivers to maximize coasting in segregated sections of the network and to match optimal speed limits in busier street sections. The field trials and real daily operations in the Edinburgh Tram Line, U.K., have shown that energy savings of 10%-20% are achievable

Multi Objective Ant Colony Optimisation to obtain efficient metro speed profiles

[EN] Obtaining efficient speed profiles for metro trains is a multi- objective optimisation problem where energy consumption and travel time must be balanced. Automatic Train Operation (ATO) systems may handle a great number of possible speed profiles; hence optimisation algorithms are required find efficient ones in a timely manner. This paper aims to assess the performance of a particular meta-heuristic optimisation algorithm, a variation of the traditional Ant Colony (ACO) modified to deal with multi-objective problems with continuous variables: MOACOr. This algorithm is used to obtain efficient speed profiles in up to 32 interstation sections in the metro network of Valencia (Spain), and the convergence and diversity of these solution sets is evaluated through metrics such as Inverse Generational Distance (GD) and Normalised Hypervolume (NH). The results are then compared to those obtained with a conventional genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), including a statistical analysis to identify significant differences. It has been found that MOACOr shows a better performance than NSGA-II in terms of convergence, regularity and diversity of the solution. These results indicate that MOACOr is a good alternative to the widely used genetic algorithm and could be a better tool for rail operation managers trying to improve energy efficiency.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness grant number TRA2011-26602.Martínez Fernández, P.; Font Torres, JB.; Villalba Sanchis, I.; Insa Franco, R. (2023). Multi Objective Ant Colony Optimisation to obtain efficient metro speed profiles. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part F Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 237(2):232-242. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544097221103351232242237

A review of modelling and optimisation methods applied to railways energy consumption

[EN] Railways are a rather efficient transport mean, and yet there is increasing interest in reducing their energy consumption and making them more sustainable in the current context of climate change. Many studies try to model, analyse and optimise the energy consumed by railways, and there is a wide diversity of methods, techniques and approaches regarding how to formulate and solve this problem. This paper aims to provide insight into this topic by reviewing up to 52 papers related to railways energy consumption. Two main areas are analysed: modelling techniques used to simulate train(s) movement and energy consumption, and optimisation methods used to achieve more efficient train circulations in railway networks. The most used methods in each case are briefly described and the main trends found are analysed. Furthermore, a statistical study has been carried out to recognise relationships between methods and optimisation variables. It was found that deterministic models based on the Davis equation are by far (85% of the papers reviewed) the most common in terms of modelling. As for optimisation, meta-heuristic methods are the preferred choice (57.8%), particularly Genetic Algorithms.Martínez Fernández, P.; Villalba Sanchis, I.; Yepes, V.; Insa Franco, R. (2019). A review of modelling and optimisation methods applied to railways energy consumption. Journal of Cleaner Production. 222:153-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.037S15316222

Simulation model of speed control for the moving-block systems under ERTMS Level 3

The moving-block system under ERTMS Level 3 represents a continuous detection of train positions, and continuous infrastructure-to-train communication. This allows trains to follow one another in smaller space and time headways than possible in fixed-block systems. Trains form platoons with undisturbed headways and uniform speeds in moving-block systems, with improved safety and increased capacity. The dynamics of such train platooning are likely to be critical, as this can give rise to several practical effects, including unrealistic performance demand on braking and traction forces, unstable following and incessant speed fluctuations. Dynamic simulation models can be used to test train control algorithms and design solutions to these problems. This paper presents a discrete-time simulation model of a moving-block railway system. The train control algorithm within the system is formulated as a trainfollowing model. We present a constraint train-following model, based on the concept of an optimal velocity and desired following distance. We provide analysis on the performance of the model, in terms of safety and flow stability

Optimization of Energy-Efficient Speed Profile for Electrified Vehicles

This work presents a study of the energy-efficient operation of all-electric vehicles leveraging route information, such as road grade, to adjust the velocity trajectory Minimization of energy consumption is one of the main targets of research for both passenger vehicles in terms of economic benefit, and army vehicles in terms of mission success and decision making. The optimization of a speed profile is one of the tools used to achieve energy minimization and it can also help in the useful utilization of autonomy in vehicles. The optimization of speed profile is typically addressed as an Optimal Control Problem (OCP). The obstacle that disrupts the implementation of optimization is the heavy computational load that results from the number of state variables, control inputs, and discretization, i.e., the curse of dimensionality. In this work, Pontryagin's Maximum Principle (PMP) is applied to derive necessary conditions and to determine the possible discrete operating modes. The analysis shows that only five modes are required to achieve minimum energy consumption; full propulsion, cruising, coasting, full regeneration, and full braking. Then, the problem is reformulated and solved in the distance domain using Dynamic Programming to find the optimal speed profiles. Various simulation results are shown for a lightweight autonomous military vehicle. Army Programs use various drive cycles including time, speed, and grade, for testing and validating new vehicle systems and models. Among those cycles, two different drive conditions are studied: relatively flat, Convoy, and hilly terrain, Churchville B. For the Convoy cycle, the optimal speed cycle uses 21% less energy for the same trip duration or reduces the time by 14% with the same energy consumption while for the Churchville B cycle, it uses 24% less energy or provides 24% reduction in time. Furthermore, the sensitivity of energy consumption to regenerative-braking power limits and trip time is investigated. These studies provide important information that can be used in designing component size and scheduling operation to achieve the desired vehicle range. Lastly, the work provides parametric studies about the influence of the efficiency of an electric motor on performance including energy consumption and control modes.Master of Science in EngineeringAutomotive Systems Engineering, College of Engineering & Computer ScienceUniversity of Michigan-Dearbornhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146793/1/Hadi_Abbas_Thesis (1).pdfDescription of Hadi_Abbas_Thesis (1).pdf : Thesi