ON THE DETERMINATION AND PRACTICE-REFERRED TRIAL OF CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR COMPUTER-AIDED OPTIMIZED TRAIN OPERATION

This paper deals with new methods to determine and test control algorithms for: (a) optimally controlled train sequence on railway lines; (b) energy optimized individual train control. In the first case it is assumed that a process computer is coupled to the railway line for the self-acting tracing of train movements by comparing the actual and stored nominal positions. If a delay occurs, the computer shall automatically start an optimizing programme to calculate an optimally modified timetable within a given disposition interval. Suggested is a new mode of access based on the discrete form of Pontrjagin's maximum principle which yields an optimum solution by evaluating a sequence of bivalent decisions in a way that is favourable with respect to storage location and computing time utilization. The obtained control algorithm has been tested in a practice-referred mode by coupling a small process computer to the model railway system of the Dresden College of Transport. The second problem dealt with in this paper concerns the following task: With due consideration of constraints regarding travelling speed, tractive force and brake power, and within the scheduled or modified travelling time obtained under (a), a train shall be moved from the stations A to B with minimized energy consumption. Again Pontrjagin's maximum principle has been used to obtain an optimum solution for train movements on plans and gradients. Trials have been made by coupling a small control computer to an electronic running simulator. It can be shown that, compared to manually controlled train movement, energy consumption can be reduced by approx. 15%, and that adherence to timetables may be improved to quite a degree; especially under unfavourable conditions such as poor visibility, etc.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Railroad Cybernetics, AAR/UIC/IRCA, 21-26 April 1974, Washington, D.C.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Union of Railways

  14 rue Jean Rey
  75015 Paris,   France 
• Authors:
  • STROBEL, H
  • Kosemund, M
  • Horn, P
• Publication Date: 1974-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer models; Computers; Information systems; Operations; Planning; Railroad trains; Technology
• Geographic Terms: Germany
• Old TRIS Terms: Operations planning; Train planning
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00053817
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Report/Paper Numbers: Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 17 1974 12:00AM