Optimal control strategy for energy saving in trains under the four-aspect fixed autoblock system

This paper deals with both the leading train and the following train in a train tracking under a four-aspect fixed autoblock system in order to study the optimum operating strategy for energy saving. After analyzing the working principle of the four-aspect fixed autoblock system, an energy-saving control model is created based on the dynamics equation of the Wains. In addition to safety, energy consumption and time error are the main concerns of the model. Based on this model, dynamic speed constraints of the following train are proposed, defined by the leading gain dynamically. At the same time, the static speed constraints defined by the line conditions are also taken into account. The parallel genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum operating strategy. In order to simplify the solving process, the external punishment function is adopted to transform this problem with constraints to the one without constraints. By using the real number coding and the strategy of dividing ramps into three parts, the convergence of GA is accelerated and the length of chromosomes is shortened. The simulation result from a four-aspect fixed autoblock system simulation platform shows that the method can reduce the energy consumption effectively in the premise of ensuring safety and punctuality.

Development of a simulation model for dynamic derailment analysis of high-speed trains

The running safety of high-speed trains has become a major concern of the current railway research with the rapid development of high-speed railways around the world.The basic safety requirement is to prevent the derailment.The root causes of the dynamic derailment of highspeed trains operating in severe environments are not easy to identify using the field tests or laboratory experiments.Numerical simulation using an advanced train–track interaction model is a highly efficient and low-cost approach to investigate the dynamic derailment behavior and mechanism of high-speed trains.This paper presents a three-dimensional dynamic model of a high-speed train coupled with a ballast track for dynamic derailment analysis.The model considers a train composed of multiple vehicles and the nonlinear inter-vehicle connections.The ballast track model consists of rails,fastenings,sleepers,ballasts,and roadbed,which are modeled by Euler beams,nonlinear spring-damper elements,equivalent ballast bodies,and continuous viscoelastic elements,in which the modal superposition method was used to reduce the order of the partial differential equations of Euler beams.The commonly used derailment safety assessment criteria around the world are embedded in the simulation model.The train–track model was then used to investigate the dynamic derailment responses of a high-speed train passing over a buckled track,in which the derailmentmechanism and train running posture during the dynamic derailment process were analyzed in detail.The effects of train and track modelling on dynamic derailment analysis were also discussed.The numerical results indicate that the train and track modelling options have a significant effect on the dynamic derailment analysis.The inter-vehicle impacts and the track flexibility and nonlinearity should be considered in the dynamic derailment simulations.

Mechanical characteristic variation of ballastless track in highspeed railway:effect of train–track interaction and environment loads

Due to the fact that ballastless tracks in highspeed railways are not only subjected to repeated train–track dynamic interaction loads,but also suffer from complex environmental loads,the fundamental understanding of mechanical performance of ballastless tracks under sophisticated service conditions is an increasingly demanding and challenging issue in high-speed railway networks.This work aims to reveal the effect of train–track interaction and environment loads on the mechanical characteristic variation of ballastless tracks in high-speed railways,particularly focusing on the typical interface damage evolution between track layers.To this end,a finite element model of a double-block ballastless track involving the cohesive zone model for the track interface is first established to analyze the mechanical properties of the track interface under the loading–unloading processes of the negative temperature gradient load(TGL)followed by the same cycle of the positive TGL.Subsequently,the effect of wheel–rail longitudinal interactions on the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the track interface is investigated by using a vehicle-slab track vertical-longitudinal coupled dynamics model.Finally,the influence of dynamic water pressure induced by vehicle dynamic load on the mechanical characteristics and damage evolution of the track interface is elucidated using a fluid–solid coupling method.Results show that the loading history of the positive and negative TGLs has a great impact on the nonlinear development and distribution of the track interface stress and damage;the interface damage could be induced by the wheel–rail longitudinal vibrations at a high vehicle running speed owing to the dynamic amplification effect caused by short wave irregularities;the vehicle dynamic load could produce considerable water pressure that presents nonlinear spatial–temporal characteristics at the track interface,which would lead to the interface failure under a certain condition due to the coupled dynamic effect of vehicle load and water pressure.

Dynamic Characteristics of Tracked Vehicle Power Train Considering Road Random Torsional Excitation

The road random torsional excitation is one type of torque rooted from the road roughness and vehicle drive system. This paper aims to study how the road random torsional excitation affects the dynamic characteristics of vehicle power train. The method of simulating the random torsional excitation of tracked vehicle is explored at first. Secondly,the road random torsional excitations under different road roughness,vehicle speeds and pre-tensions are obtained. Thirdly,the dynamic analysis model of tracked vehicle power train is constructed with the consideration of the road random torsional excitation. Eventually,the influences of this excitation on output torque,bearing support force,vibration acceleration and dynamic shear stress of transmission shafts are intensively studied.The research conclusions are helpful to correct and refine the present virtual prototype of tracked vehicle power train.

Automatic Train Operation Based on Adaptive Terminal Sliding Mode Control

This paper presents an adaptive terminal sliding mode control(ATSMC) method for automatic train operation. The criterion for the design is keeping high-precision tracking with relatively less adjustment of the control input. The ATSMC structure is designed by considering the nonlinear characteristics of the dynamic model and the parametric uncertainties of the train operation in real time. A nonsingular terminal sliding mode control is employed to make the system quickly reach a stable state within a finite time, which makes the control input less adjust to guarantee the riding comfort. An adaptive mechanism is used to estimate controller parameters to get rid of the need of the prior knowledge about the bounds of system uncertainty. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller, which has robust performance to deal with the external disturbance and system parametric uncertainties. Thereby, the system guarantees the train operation to be accurate and comfortable.

Japan on Track for Second Maanetic Train

Japan’s famous magnetic levitation train, Maglev,has a rival that couldbe operated sooner. A system run by a subsidiary of Japan Airlines will startrunning commercially in 1999 on a track near Yokohama. Like Maglev, theHigh Speed Surface Transport (HSST) will be supported and propelled by mag-nets, though they will be in different configuration.