Verifying the Energy-saving Effect of a Driver Advisory System using Speed Estimation for Freight Railways

Abstract

In this study, we have developed a driver advisory system using a speed estimation technique developed for freight railways aiming to ensure energy-saving and punctuality. The driver advisory system focuses cruising driving operation for a freight railway by maintaining the planned time of passage station. The driver advisory system proposes a recommended driving operation for each passage station.

First, we discuss an energy saving driving method called cruising driving for freight railways considering the running resistance and motor efficiency. As a result of an energy calculation, we found that is necessary to use constant-speed and saw-toothed driving operations properly depending on speed and load characteristics, including hauling mass and gradient of running line. Then, we have developed a driving operation assignment method using the speed estimation, which switches between constant-speed and saw-toothed driving operations depending on speed and load characteristics. Finally, we present a trial result focusing on energy consumption. We confirm the energy-saving effect comparing the energy consumption with or without the developed driver advisory system.