Simulation will certainty play a greater role in the future development of railways and whilst powerful simulation programs exist for individual aspects of the design process it is clear that these do not show the whole picture. Simulation systems can be used in many forms: as a single train run to assess traction performance over a given infrastructure or assumptions of the physical characteristics of a new line; to assess a range of signalling systems in order to identify the optimum solution to meet a service aspiration; to evaluate a proposed timetable and the interaction between the services through the infrastructure at a complex junction or in major terminals; to evaluate electrical system loads on an electrified railway either for the placement of additional capacity or to assess the capacity of existing supplies. This paper seeks to demonstrate the varying levels of simulation, their key role in the support of railway projects, that no single aspect should be considered in isolation and, finally, that the final simulation must be undertaken using a full traffic simulation. The way forward must be the multi train simulator modelling all aspects of the interactive railway. Unless the final stage of the development process features such a simulation based on the actual workings of the railway it cannot be really valid as verification that any proposal will work. Building a comprehensive simulation model of a complex area entails a significant cost. However, compared to the cost of getting an initial scheme wrong, and subsequent rectification, it is a cost avoided at the projects peril. The current business climate requires engineers and designers to offer some guarantee that a scheme will work, offer value for the investment and deliver the required result. The 'scheme' might be a major remodelling or the simple proposal to run an additional train. The requirement to assess the impact is the same and is contractually binding.
Train performance & simulation
2002
16 Seiten, 16 Bilder
Conference paper
English
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