This paper presents an analysis of several railway vehicle driving characteristics (energy, power) as a function of the vehicle type (switchyard engine, freight locomotive or subway). The influence of these characteristics is analyzed through basic designs for the engine and battery pack. The hybrid drive train has been presented as a valid alternative to conventional diesel electric drive trains for railway vehicles. A hybrid railway vehicle consumes less fuel to accomplish the same duty, which should balance the extra-cost of a hybrid drive train. In the mean time emissions are reduced because less fuel is consumed. The validity of hybrid drive trains has been proved as the weight of the battery pack is very reasonable and as no expensive battery technology is required. However, the authors acknowledge that the above analysis is rather simple and needs to be redefined in order to quantify the gains and losses of hybridizing a railway vehicle. To this effect, they have started a collaboration with Snead Institute that will provide access to an actual switchyard locomotive. Exact figures of traction power, train speed, load etc. will be recorded and analyzed. Finally a hybrid switchyard locomotive will be designed, built and tested. An extension of this work to freight duty is also envisioned. The market for hybrid trains is greater in North America than in Europe because Europe has a much higher density of population and higher petroleum prices that make it economically suitable to operate electric trains. North America however has a low population density that makes the electric traction a very costly solution. This is why the autonomous traction is pretty much the only one used in the United States and Canada. Also passenger trains are rather unpopular in the US except in the Boston-New York-Washington corridor. The potential of saving for freight carriers is great and should not be neglected when considering the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. Yes the purchase cost would be increased but this increase is nothing compared to the huge savings expected. This is emphasized by the fact that most freight carriers keep their trains for a long period of time and use them over huge distances.
Investigation of hybrid drive trains for railway vehicles
Untersuchung hybrider Antriebsstränge für Schienenfahrzeuge
2001
5 Seiten, 7 Bilder, 5 Tabellen, 2 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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