Maximization of Energy Efficiency by Synchronizing the Speed of Trains on a Moving Block System

Abstract

The publication deals with the problem of the effect of interference with the movement of the “preceding” train on the movement of the “following” train in the case of efforts to reduce the distance between trains on a moving block interval. The paper presents results of the simulations for train of the ED250 type for a set of 135 traffic situations: for three contexts of reducing the speed of the “preceding” train, for five variants of the method of controlling the “following” train and for nine initial distances between these trains. The results confirmed the possibility of gaining time and energy benefits by implementing an appropriate method of controlling the “following” train, as well as providing insights into the area of shortening the gaps between trains, including the pursuit of synchronizing the speed of trains and possibly coupling them into a so-called virtual couples.

Keywords

• train control efficiency
• train smoothness
• energy efficiency
• moving block distance
• virtual coupling