Peak demand reduction techniques when starting under moving block signalling

This paper investigates the starting behaviour of a queue of electric trains under moving block signalling (MBS) systems and compares it with that under fixed block signalling (FBS), when the leading train has stood still for a long time. A "starting problem", which is the peak electrical demand problem caused by the characteristics of MBS, is identified. Peak demand reduction (PDR) techniques are then proposed as solutions to the "starting problem" and evaluated through simulation studies from the viewpoints of peak reduction, delay and energy saving.