Energy-Efficient Driving Strategy for Freight Trains Based on Power Consumption Analysis

Energy consumption, involving large economic costs and air pollution, is an important issue of locomotive operation. Based on train movement transfer formulation between energy and work, this paper explores the main forms of energy consumption, which include work of resistance and kinetic energy loss caused by braking. From the view of theoretical analysis and simulations, the paper discusses the energy consumption with different coasting distance before braking and lower speed restriction, and train speed uniformity. The former makes a great impact on the kinetic energy loss and the latter determines the work of resistance. The results of case study indicate that it is possible to save 6.8% energy under the rigorous restriction of schedule time by keeping train speed uniform. If only unnecessary braking can be avoided and coasting distance before stop increased properly, an energy saving of 9% can be achieved while running time is only slightly affected.