Analysis of Dynamic MRTS Traction Power Supply System Based on Dependent Train Movement Simulation

ABSTRACT As the motivation in developing modern MRTS and the upgrading of old systems in many metropolitans all over the world, especially for public transportation in developing countries, the demand to simulate the dynamic traction power supply system (TPSS) more effectively and practically has increased. This paper describes the work of simulating and analysing TPSS. It is based on dependent train movement in conjunction with TPSS simulation to establish a panorama view of the features. The free time scheduled strategy for train movement is applied which is more flexible and effective to reflect operation strategies. To set up the dynamic TPSS structure with respect to the moving train status for the system solution, the schematic arrangement is split into four parts: establishment of the elementary electric network framework; establishment of the dynamic electrical network structure which includes both the elementary power network and the moving trains statuses; dynamic electric network simulation; and system analyses based on the panoramic features drawn from the simulation. The simulation results are based on the Shanghai Metro Line One (excluding the extension section). Simulation and analysis on more lines including Shanghai Line Two and Guangzhou Line One MTRS have also been implemented using similar approaches. The complete profiles of the TPSS provide a practical means in analysing the system configuration as well as organizing the system operation

Optimal train control on various track alignments considering speed and schedule adherence constraints

The methodology discussed in this dissertation contributes to the field of transit operational control to reduce energy consumption. Due to the recent increase in gasoline cost, a significant number of travelers are shifting from highway modes to public transit, which also induces higher transit energy consumption expenses. This study presents an approach to optimize train motion regimes for various track alignments, which minimizes total energy consumption subject to allowable travel time, maximum operating speed, and maximum acceleration/deceleration rates. The research problem is structured into four cases which consist of the combinations of track alignments (e.g., single vertical alignment and mixed vertical alignment) and the variation of maximum operating speeds (e.g., constant and variable). The Simulated Annealing (SA) approach is employed to search for the optimal train control, called golden run . To accurately estimate energy consumption and travel time, a Train Performance Simulation (TPS) is developed, which replicates train movements determined by a set of dynamic variables (e,g., duration of acceleration and cruising, coasting position, braking position, etc.) as well as operational constraints (e.g., track alignment, speed limit, minimum travel time, etc.) The applicability of the developed methodology is demonstrated with geographic data of two real world rail line segments of The New Haven Line of the Metro North Railroad: Harrison to Rye Stations and East Norwalk to Westport Stations. The results of optimal solutions and sensitivity analyses are presented. The sensitivity analyses enable a transit operator to quantify the impact of the coasting position, travel time constraint, vertical dip of the track alignment, maximum operating speed, and the load and weight of the train to energy consumption. The developed models can assist future rail system with Automatic Train Control (ATC), Automatic Train Operation (ATO) and Positive Train Control (PTC), or conventional railroad systems to improve the planning and operation of signal systems. The optimal train speed profile derived in this study can be considered by the existing signal system for determining train operating speeds over a route

Flywheel Energy Storage Systems for Rail

In current non-electrified rail systems there is a significant loss of energy during vehicle braking. The aim of this research has been to investigate the potential benefits of introducing onboard regenerative braking systems to rail vehicles. An overview of energy saving measures proposed within the rail industry is presented along with a review of different energy storage devices and systems developed for both rail and automotive applications. Advanced flywheels have been identified as a candidate energy storage device for rail applications, combining high specific power and energy. In order to assess the potential benefits of energy storage systems in rail vehicles, a computational model of a conventional regional diesel train has been developed. This has been used to define a base level of vehicle performance, and to investigate the effects of energy efficient control strategies focussing on the application of coasting prior to braking. The impact of these measures on both the requirements of an energy storage system and the potential benefits of a hybrid train have been assessed. A detailed study of a range of existing and novel mechanical flywheel transmissions has been performed. The interaction between the flywheel, transmission and vehicle is investigated using a novel application-independent analysis method which has been developed to characterise and compare the performance of different systems. The results of this analysis produce general ‘design tools’ for each flywheel transmission configuration, allowing appropriate system configurations and parameters to be identified for a particular application. More detailed computational models of the best performing systems have been developed and integrated with the conventional regional diesel train model. The performance of proposed flywheel hybrid regional trains has been assessed using realistic component losses and journey profiles, and the fuel saving relative to a conventional train quantified for a range of energy storage capacities and power-train control strategies

Train planning in a fragmented railway: a British perspective

Train Planning (also known as railway scheduling) is an area of substantial importance to the success of any railway. Through train planning, railway managers aim to meet the needs of customers whilst using as low a level of resources (infrastructure, rolling stock and staff) as possible. Efficient and effective train planning is essential to get the best possible performance out of a railway network. The author of this thesis aims, firstly, to analyse the processes which are used to develop train plans and the extent to which they meet the objectives that they might be expected to meet and, secondly, to investigate selected new and innovative software approaches that might make a material difference to the effectiveness and/or efficiency of train planning processes. These aims are delivered using a range of primarily qualitative research methods, including literature reviews, interviews, participant observation and case studies, to understand these processes and software. Conclusions regarding train planning processes include how the complexity of these processes hinders their effectiveness, the negative impact of the privatisation of British Rail on these processes and the conflicting nature of objectives for train planning in the privatised railway. Train planning software is found not to adequately support train planners in meeting the objectives they are set. The potential for timetable generation using heuristics and for timetable performance simulation to improve the effectiveness of train planning are discussed and recommendations made for further research and development to address the limitations of the software currently available

Modelagem e simulação de Parque Ferroviário

Monografia (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Curso de Graduação em Engenharia de Controle e Automação, 2014.Este projeto consiste na idealização de um sistema automático e seguro que permita o escalonamento de trens sobre uma malha viária simplificada. A estrutura do sistema consiste de uma aplicação em tempo real voltada para alto desempenho e confiabilidade uma vez tratar-se de uma aplicação concorrente. O sistema viário é constituído por quatro trens, sendo três de uso geral e o quarto um trem de manutenção que efetua a limpeza das vias.This project involves the idealization of an automated system that allows the secure and scheduling trains on a simplified highway system. The system structure consists of a real time application oriented for high performance and reliability once that it was a concurrent application. The train system consists of four trains, three for general use and the fourth that a train maintenance performs the cleaning of the rails

Freight Train Optimization and Simulation

Train scheduling has already received a lot of attention, whether for passenger or freight trains. While the volume of goods transport has increased over the years, extensions of railway systems are very rare because they represent major investments for railway companies or governments. Accordingly, the railway companies are often operating freight trains in a system that is close to saturation. It follows that a very effective planning and optimization of the rail network is needed. While passenger train schedules are relatively static and cyclic, and can be planned months ahead, freight train schedules are designed with a much shorter planning time period, sometimes even one day or few hours before train departures. Moreover, passenger train schedules must obey some strict time window constraints as trains must arrive and depart from stations in order for passengers to get off/on the trains according to the posted schedule. On the opposite, the schedule of the freight trains may vary according to the train lengths or loads, i.e., freight trains have a much greater variability in their average speed. Lastly, the track configuration of the freight trains does not have a dedicated direction as it is often the case for passenger trains. For all those reasons, the scheduling of freight trains is more complex than for passenger trains. In this thesis, we propose a new dynamic row/column management algorithm for the schedule of freight trains in a single/double track railway mesh network system. While many works have already been devoted to train scheduling, previously published optimization models all suffer from scalability issues. Moreover, very few of them take into account the number of alternate tracks in the railway stations or in the sidings for train meets, as well as the delay incurred by trains that take sidings. We propose a non time-indexed model, which takes into account such constraints, and we design an original solution scheme with iterative additions/removals of constraints/variables in order to remain with a manageable sized mixed integer linear program, while still ensuring convergence to an optimal solution. Numerical results are presented on several data instances of CPR (Canada Pacific Railway) on the Vancouver-Calgary corridor, one of the busiest corridors in their railway system. In addition, we developed a simulation tool within the Arena framework, for the scheduling of freight trains. Comparisons of the simulation and optimization tools are made, together with a review of the pros and cons of simulation against optimization tools

Simulación del movimiento de trenes para minimizar el consumo enérgetico y optimización para plataformas multicore

Los avances en computación de los últimos 25 años han promovido la simulación del movimiento y consumo de trenes en circulaciones. El presente proyecto contempla la creación de un algoritmo que simula el movimiento de un tren bajo una infraestructura ferroviaria real. La ejecución de un algoritmo de este estilo supone una gran carga computacional que plantea la necesidad de usar computación en paralelo. En este documento se describen los aspectos que han envuelto la creación del proyecto.Ingeniería Informátic