A Systems Engineering Approach for DC Traction Power Systems

Systems Engineering is a transdisciplinary and integrative approach to enable the successful realization, use, and retirement of engineered systems, using systems principles and concepts, and scientific, technological, and management methods [1]. Transit and rail agencies are gradually moving towards standardization around safety requirements for railway applications, and hence, complying with the CENELEC [2], [14], [16] standards are necessary. It has been observed that not enough information exists about systems architecture of DC Traction Power System. This becomes more complicated as the voltage and power collection technologies vary. This paper addresses these lacunae. Through this paper, an overview of DC Traction Power Systems from a systems engineering perspective is presented. This will help systems engineers, consultants, project managers and transit agency personnel to better understand the elements of a DC traction power system and their functional requirements (Section V). The paper describes various interfaces of DC traction power system (Section VI), with examples from past projects, enabling effective management (Section VII). The material presented in this paper, will enable audience to obtain sufficient knowledge towards meeting CENELEC standards and foster better understanding of DC traction power systems principles, functional requirements, interfaces, and their test examples.