Author(s)

R. De Pietro, M. Ignaccolo & G. Inturri

Abstract

The recovery of train braking energy: the case of Catania (Italy) metro line R. De ~ietro', M. ~~naccolo~ & G. 1nturri2 I FCE Railway Company, Catania, Italy 2~epartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Catania, Italy Abstract A method to analyse the operation of a metro railway transit line by increasing the energetic exchange between the trains during braking and traction phases is proposed. Based on the track profile and mechanical and electric characteristics of the trains, a simulation model has been developed to calculate the energy which is absorbed or supplied to the power line, for a fixed operational situation. The model allows the estimation of the fraction of electrodynamics braking energy which cannot be recuperated and is dissipated on board resistors when no train needs get power from the electric line. The train operation can be optimised by estimating, for a fixed train headway, what the number of simultaneous operating trains is which determines the minimum percentage

Keywords