Analysis and design of Driver Advisory System (DAS) for energy-efficient train operation with real-time information

Energy efficiency has become one of the major concerns in railway operation today. Generation of energy-efficient train trajectories can be modeled as solving a complex optimization problem with nonlinear and time-varying variables under multiple constraints of equality and inequality, as train operation is a dynamically vacillating process due to complex railway operational conditions. In recent years Driver Advisory System (DAS) is introduced as the system to deliver optimized energy-efficient trajectory to train operation through advisory to the driver based on static or real-time railway operation information. This work proposes a prototype DAS design using a PC as central unit and a smartphone as on-board unit, with a bi-directional message exchange between central unit and on-board unit. An energy-distribution based model and optimization algorithm is developed to derive and to adjust train trajectories. Simulation results are demonstrated the efficiency and robustness of the approach and methods.