Optimization Method of Energy Saving Train Operation for Railway Network

In railway network, trains running through stations may be disturbed by trains in other lines. This paper investigates energy saving train operation under disturbance condition. According to the mathematical description of the problem and dynamic equation for train movement, the authors propose an optimization model of energy saving train operation. A changeable chromosome length genetic algorithm (GA) and table of control mode list are applied to solve the optimization problem. The simulation is carried out, and the speed-position curve of disturbed train is compared with that of train that moves normally. The variation of speed with time is analyzed. Some principles for energy saving are revealed in speed-position curve and energy-position curve. At last, the simulation result is compared with that obtained by other methods. The comparison shows that the changeable chromosome length GA is an effective method to be applied in energy saving train operation.