Skillful train deceleration to keep on-time performance in the approach of stations (a brake handling skill evaluation for commuter trains)

Abstract

To keep on-time performance of commuter trains in mega cities, the skillful brake handling is required for the drivers on the approach of the stations. However, on the course of the training for the newly comer drivers, such skill has been telepathically given by their instructors, and none of theories nor quantitative instructions has been introduced. The authors proposed a method to quantitatively evaluate the brake handling skill on the approach of the stations. Using the newly proposed method, they investigated the data piled up in the event recorder of the EMUs operated the JR West Ohsaka Kanjoh Line, one of the most densely train-operated commuter lines in the JRs. On the investigations, they confirmed that the brake handling skill could be easily and quantitatively evaluated by the method. Then, they applied it to investigate the trains operated on the Tohkaido Main Line between Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, where the interval of the stations is longer and the scheduled operating speed is higher than the formally investigated line. The results of the study are briefly reported in the paper. © 2013 The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.