Radio-controlled double traction in freight trains
evaluated
In heavy freight trains operating in double-traction, radio-control can facilitate an optimised use of regenerative brakes.
Technology field:Regenerative braking and energy management
General information
Description
In heavy freight train operation with several locomotives (double- or multi-traction), radio-control between the locomotives can save production costs and permit an optimised use of regenerative brakes.
Such a system is used on the alpine transit service over Swiss Gotthard where heavy freight trains are operated in double-traction (one locomotive at the front end and one at the rear end of the train). SBB has equipped four engines type Re 460 (with high performance of electric recuperation by braking) with a radio control. This way only the front locomotive has to have a driver on-board, the other one is operated via radio control.
After in-service testing drivers state that radio control requires less
concentration than information exchange via voice radio (as realised up to
now).
Barriers: medium
Organisation
Operational process is complicated by the fact that only a small share of the
locomotives is equipped with the system. Availability of the right traction unit
at the right station poses logistic difficulties.
Success factors:
A good organisational concept for ensuring availability of fitted locomotives.
Applicability for railway segments: low
Type of traction: electric - AC
Type of transportation: not applicable, freight
Concept is highly specific (long heavy freight trains in double-traction in mountainous regions) and has low applicability.
Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: < 5%
Share of newly purchased stock: < 20%
(no details available)
Market potential (railways): low
Very specific niche application.
Example:
SBB Gotthard freight operation
Environmental criteria
Impacts on energy efficiency:
Energy efficiency potential for single vehicle: (no data)
Energy efficiency potential throughout fleet: (no data)
Each engine can approx. recuperate additional 6 MWh on every outward and return journey (Erstfeld Chiasso) due to the radio control.
Other environmental impacts: neutral
(no details available)
Economic criteria
Vehicle - fix costs: (no data)
(no details available)
Vehicle - running costs: significant reduction
Significant reductions in operation costs. It is estimated that SBB saves an annual 8 to 20 million CHF (~ 5,5 to 13,7 million Euro) on the Gotthard transit route.
Infrastructure - fix costs: none
(no details available)
Infrastructure - running costs: unchanged
(no details available)
Scale effects: low
(no details available)
Amortisation: 1 - 2 years
(no details available)
Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)
Overall rating
Overall potential: not promising
Time horizon: (no data)
Measure is too specific (long heavy freight trains in double-traction in mountainous regions) to be promising in a general context.