Author(s)

Q. Gu, L. Pei, F. Cao & T. Tang

Abstract

The Moving Block Signalling (MBS) system is a system where the tracking target point of the following train is moving forward with the leading train. In the MBS system, a dense queue of trains starting (or re-starting) in very close succession would cause an overload of the substations. The time delay and acceleration rate limit are introduced in the traditional approaches to solve this problem. However, such approaches increase the travel time between the successive stations, and the service quality decreases. In this paper, a novel approach ‘Service Headway Braking’ (SHB) is proposed based on some knowable extra station dwell time. It can efficiently avoid the peak electrical demand problem without increasing the time delay. The simulation result shows that, with flexible adjustment of the start (or restart) time and velocity, the passenger waiting time can be shortened while considering energy saving. Keywords: peak power demand, moving signalling block system, station time delay, energy saving. 1 Introduction Moving-block signalling (MBS) was proposed a few decades ago [1] to reduce headway among successive trains in a track line. Theoretically, two successive trains are separated by a distance equivalent before the braking point of the following train to brake to a complete stop from its current speed, as well as a safety margin. The separation can be reduced and changed with the limit for the given operating speed and train characteristics, such as train length and braking rate.

Keywords

peak power demand, moving signalling block system, station timedelay, energy saving