NEW METHOD FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT TRAIN OPERATION ON COMMUTER RAIL NETWORKS

This paper presents a new optimisation method for energy-efficient operation of electric commuter trains. This method assumes the application of centralised train and traffic control with online timetable rescheduling. The method was tested on the interstation distance between Maksimir and Zagreb GK on the Dugo Selo - Zagreb GK railway line. For all potential running times of commuter trains, by usage of SQP-method for the calculation of traction power supply, different running regimes were simulated and best regimes regarding energy consumption were selected. Each regime implies a running time which can deviate up to 20 seconds from the nominal one given by the timetable and this represents a completely new way of defining the energy-optimal running regimes. The results of the simulation show that the new method for energy-optimal commuter trains running profile calculation can save up to 10 % of consumed energy for traction supply of electric commuter passenger trains.