Optimizing the Energy-Efficient Metro Train Timetable and Control Strategy in Off-Peak Hours with Uncertain Passenger Demands

Jia Feng, Xiamiao Li, Haidong Liu, Xing Gao and Baohua Mao
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Jia Feng: School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Xiamiao Li: School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Haidong Liu: Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
Xing Gao: School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Baohua Mao: Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: How to reduce the energy consumption of metro trains by optimizing both the timetable and control strategy is a major focus. Due to the complexity and difficulty of the combinatorial operation problem, the commonly-used method to optimize the train operation problem is based on an unchanged dwelling time for all trains at a specific station. Here, we develop a simulation-based method to design an energy-efficient train control strategy under the optimized timetable constraints, which assign the dwelling time margin to the running time. This time margin is caused by dynamically uncertain passenger demands in off-peak hours. Firstly, we formulate a dwelling time calculation model to minimize the passenger boarding and alighting time. Secondly, we design an optimal train control strategy with fixed time and develop a time-based model to describe mass-belt train movement. Finally, based on this simulation module, we present numerical examples based on the real-world operation data from the Beijing metro Line 2, in which the energy consumption of one train can be reduced by 21.9%. These results support the usefulness of the proposed approach.

Keywords: metro; energy-saving; timetable; fixed running time; dwelling time (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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