Power management strategy study for a multiple unit train

Abstract

The use of multiple power sources in railway applications is common on modern rolling stock. Prime movers are usually distributed along the length of the train, and are able to provide distributed traction. If the primary power for such vehicles comes from individual diesel engines, or if there are non-linear efficiency characteristics within the drive train, then the supervisory controllers for each motive unit may be decoupled and operated independently. This can potentially save energy.