A novel peak power demand reduction strategy under a moving block signalling system

Abstract

The Moving Block Signalling (MBS) system is a system where the tracking target point of the following train is moving forward with the leading train. In the MBS system, a dense queue of trains starting (or re-starting) in very close succession would cause an overload of the substations. The time delay and acceleration rate limit are introduced in the traditional approaches to solve this problem. However, such approaches increase the travel time between the successive stations, and the service quality decreases. In this paper, a novel approach 'Service Headway Braking' is proposed based on some knowable extra station dwell time. It can efficiently avoid the peak electrical demand problem without increasing the time delay. The simulation result shows that, with flexible adjustment of the start (or restart) time and velocity, the passenger waiting time can be shortened while considering energy saving. © 2010 WIT Press.