A multi-state train-following model for the analysis of virtual coupling railway operations

Quaglietta, Egidio; Wang, Meng; Goverde, Rob M.P.

doi:10.1016/j.jrtpm.2020.100195

Cited by 114 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Quaglietta et. al [20], [21] introduce a detailed capacity analysis of the VC concept which upgrades moving-block train operations by imposing a relative braking distance separation rather than an absolute one. The proposed car-following based model considers non-linear train dynamics and relevant factors such as motion resistances due to track gradient and curvature as well as power limitations of the traction unit and safety constraints at junctions.…”

Section: B Control Methods Of the Train Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overspeed Protection Mechanism for Virtual Coupling in Railway

et al. 2020

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As a new technology to improve transportation capacity by compressing train tracking interval, virtual coupling (VC) has attracted significant attention from both industry and academia. The traditional overspeed protection mechanism cannot guarantee the safe running for a train fleet. Therefore, in this paper, we study two key problems of the overspeed protection mechanism: the limit speed calculation and the safe control for the protection of train in the formation when overspeed occurs. This paper describes the calculation methods of limit speed difference (LSD) based on relative coordinates and a collision mitigation approach by minimizing the relative kinetic energy, respectively. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through numerical analysis. The proposed calculation method of limit speed can realize large headway at low speed and small headway at high speed, which can meet the time requirement of switch and route arrangement in station areas. The performance of the model predictive control (MPC) based approach is compared with other two control strategies, i.e. basic adaptive cruise control (ACC) and directly maximum braking control (DBC). The simulation results show that the MPC strategy has the best performance among these three strategies in reducing the total relative kinetic energy of virtually-coupled train formation, followed by the DBC control strategy, and the basic ACC control strategy needs to be improved.

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Section: B Control Methods Of the Train Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overspeed Protection Mechanism for Virtual Coupling in Railway

et al. 2020

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“…Flammini et al (2019) proposed a quantitative model to analyse the effects of introducing Virtual Coupling according to the extension of the current ETCS Level 3 standard, by maintaining the backward compatibility with the information exchanged between trains and the trackside infrastructure [8]. In a further work, Quaglietta et al [3] developed a trainfollowing model to describe train operations under VC and assess capacity performance under different operational settings.…”

Section: Virtual Coupling Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second scenario envisions an ETCS L3 moving-block service with a headway reduction of 50% compared to the baseline scenario that considers multi-aspect signalling on main line, regional and urban market segments. For high-speed railways, the base configuration is ETCS L2 with a headway reduction of 47% if ETCS L3 is implemented [3]. Preliminary percentages have been derived/estimated together with railway experts across Europe for the other three scenarios of VC-enabled services.…”

Section: Virtual Coupling Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plain moving-block operations, enabled by the European Train Control System -ETCS Level 3 [1] envisages a railway with no more block segregation and track-side safety equipment, where train integrity and safe braking supervision is entirely controlled on-board of trains. The main limitation in capacity for plain moving-block is observed for high-speed lines where absolute braking distances and hence train separations, can reach up to 4-5 km at speeds around 300 km/h [2,3]. An absolute braking distance is defined as the distance *Research supported by the MOVINGRAIL project granted by the Shift2Rail JU of the European Commission under Grant Agreement GA 826347.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring Demand Trends and Operational Scenarios for Virtual Coupling Railway Signalling Technology

Aoun

Quaglietta

Goverde

2020

2020 IEEE 23rd International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC)

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Virtual Coupling (VC) is a newly introduced concept of train-centric signalling technology that conceives trains to run autonomously in radio-connected platoons. These trains move synchronously at a relative braking distance to significantly improve railway capacity and address the forecasted increase in railway demand. The technical feasibility of VC depends on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats which can introduce radical changes to current train services, technologies and procedures. This paper investigates demand trends and operational scenarios of future train-centric signalling systems. To this end, stated travel preferences have been collected by means of a survey to have more insight on modal shares in the case of future VC applications. In addition, a Delphi method has been applied where another extensive survey has collected expert opinions about benefits and challenges of VC. Results show that VC can be very attractive to customers of high-speed and main line railways and have special benefits to the regional market where a manifest willing to pay more for using a more frequent train service was found. This concept therefore calls for a deeper understanding of possible Virtual Coupling operational scenarios and the impact on the railway industry.

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“…A control law including a communication delay time was designed, and Yalmip tools were used to solve the controller parameters corresponding to the optimal convergence speed [10]. In [11], virtual coupling capacity was compared with the traditional communication-based train control (CBTC) signal system, and the results demonstrated this capacity via virtual coupling gains under various operational scenarios. In [12], a model predictive control (MPC) method was used to design a train formation following controller, and a simulation study of Ho Chi Minh City Line 1 was conducted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Virtually Coupled Metro Train Platoon Control Approach Based on Model Predictive Control

Gao

Tang

2021

IEEE Access

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In this paper, a virtually coupled train formation (VCTF) control method based on the model predictive control (MPC) framework is proposed. The train track spacing error, velocity error, and riding comfort are chosen as the optimization goals, and the constraints of line speed, collision avoidance of the train platoon, traction/braking performance, and string stability are considered. The virtual coupling operation control problem is converted into a quadratic programming problem with constraints. This paper also proposes a coasting control strategy to improve the output of the MPC controller. Simulation results show that compared with the proportional derivative controller, the proposed control method can simultaneously reduce the tracking error and output acceleration, reducing running energy consumption. A study of a metro line is chosen to analyze the VCTF operation performance, and the simulation results show that the VCTF operation mode can improve the peak capacity and quality of service of flat hours compared with the communication-based train control operation mode. INDEX TERMSVirtually coupled, metro train platoon, model predictive control.

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A multi-state train-following model for the analysis of virtual coupling railway operations

Cited by 114 publications

References 8 publications

An Overspeed Protection Mechanism for Virtual Coupling in Railway

An Overspeed Protection Mechanism for Virtual Coupling in Railway

Exploring Demand Trends and Operational Scenarios for Virtual Coupling Railway Signalling Technology

A Virtually Coupled Metro Train Platoon Control Approach Based on Model Predictive Control

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