Optimization for Train Energy Performance

Abstract: In many studies efforts are made to decrease the energy consumption of trains by optimizing their drive style, e.g. accelerate and brake optimally and regenerate electricity when braking. In other studies the goal is to distribute the run time between stations in an optimal way to decrease the energy consumption, given a relatively simple drive style. In this report the goal is to combine these two energy saving methods to obtain as low energy consumption as possible. By coupling one software containing a drive style optimizer with another software which by different optimization methods calculates the optimal run time distribution on a given track this is accomplished. The study also contains a comparison between drive styles, with the goal to find a relatively simple but energy efficient drive style. Finally the dependence between run time distribution and energy consumption is further analysed. The results show that by redistributing the run times the energy consumption can be decreased compared to previously existing time tables. They also show that a relatively simple drive style gives comparable energy consumption compared to the one obtained using a drive style optimizer. Finally the results show that the dependence between run time and energy consumption can be approximated with a simple second order equation.