Energy-efficient freight train operation guide system for diesel locomotives

In view of the limitation of onboard system's capacity, requirement of computing speed and impacts of complicated train movement, an optimized model for energy-efficient train operation is proposed, which suits for diesel locomotives with discrete levels of control on uneven rail. An onboard system for energy-efficient train operation with diesel locomotive is developed in accordance with Chinese railway transportation. By collecting dynamic information of train movement and real-time computing, the system can provide energy-efficient train operation guidance of speed-distance profile and handles-distance profile for locomotive driver. The real-time optimized control schemes can ensure the low cost and quality of train movement (safety, punctuality, and so on). To achieve this, some strategies have been applied into making the operating schemes, such as enhancing speed on steep uphill slope, extending coasting distance on steep downhill tracks, and avoiding unnecessary brake. This system has been verified in practical railroad environment for one year. The result shows that the energy consumption is cut by 5.88%, and the safe and relatively low-cost train operation is realized.