Performance Improvements of Traction Power Systems by Coordinating the Motion of a Fleet of Metro Trains in terms of Layover Time

Due to the liberalization of the railway sector, Railway System Operators (RSOs) are involved in the renewal of railway systems in terms of both technological and managing improvements. They are evaluating how new strategies can improve energy efficiency and operating sustainability. This paper proposes the optimal management of a fleet of metro trains in terms of power key performance indicator (KPI). To control the regularity of the railway service assuming a constant Headway value, there were examined how the optimal assignment of the Layover time between the two terminal stops can be managed concerning the maximum power requirements at the Traction Power Substations (TPSs). The numerical application focused on the traction power system of Metro Line 1 of Naples (Italy). The results highlighted the evaluation of the power peaks required to the distribution grid as a function of the Layover time assignment.