Energy efficient train trajectory in the railway system with moving block signaling scheme

Abstract

High-frequency train operation with a moving-block signaling system has begun to be introduced mainly in urban rail transit. Under high-frequency operation, however, subsequent trains can repeatedly be forced to slow down according to deceleration pattern generated by the signaling system to avoid collision with preceding trains, which increases the energy consumption of subsequent trains. In this paper, train trajectory optimization with dynamic programming is applied to evaluate the effect of considering preceding trains' trajectory on subsequent trains' energy reduction in a line with moving-block signaling system. The result shows that the method reduces the increase in energy consumption compared to the preceding train 1/3 times more than when not considering the position of the preceding train.