Dynamic Coupling and Decoupling of Cruising Trains: An Investigation of Operational Benefits

The concept of dynamic coupling and decoupling of the units of a moving train at cruising speed, termed here seamless interchangeability (S-I), offers potential significant operational benefits to both train operators and to passengers. For the passengers it offers reduced travel times and a flexible demand oriented service with the train operators providing a train consisting of a larger or smaller number of carriages. For the train operators there are efficiency gains due to higher passenger capacity per vehicle, reduced energy costs and the potential to provide additional service routes using the same railway infrastructure, thus maximising operational utilisation. The increased flexibility and potential advantages of the S-I concept are demonstrated through a simulation study involving a section of the Midland Main Line in the UK. The results show that there is potential to free up latent capacity, increase connectivity, reduce journey times, reduce numbers of changes and reduce carbon and cost via reduced energy consumption.