Technologies - Multiple units (MUs) vs. loco-hauled trains

Technologies

Introduction

Database

Technologies

Projects

Calendar

Discussions

Contact & Links

Imprint & Disclaimer

Sitemap

go back to technology list

previous technology

next technology

Multiple units (MUs) vs. loco-hauled trains

evaluated

Multiple units (MUs) with distributed traction allow for a more efficient space utilisation than locomotive-hauled trains. This leads to a number of advantages including the improvement of energy efficiency.

Technology field: Space utilisation



General information

General criteria

	Status of development: in use
		(no details available)

	Time horizon for broad application: now
		(no details available)

	Expected technological development: basically exploited
		(no details available)

	Motivation:
		High acceleration rates Flexibility (especially in local traffic)

	Benefits (other than environmental): big
		Utilization of adhesion Decentralised traction raises maximum acceleration and deceleration rate, allows for running on steep gradients and under conditions where adhesion is low, e.g. due to rain or fallen leaves. Electric brake No brake wearing, efficient regenerative brake Transport capacity No locomotive, high seats per train length ratio.

	Barriers: low
		(no details available)

	Success factors:
		(no details available)

	Applicability for railway segments: high
	Type of traction: electric - DC, electric - AC, diesel
	Type of transportation: passenger - main lines, passenger - high speed, passenger - regional lines, passenger - suburban lines
		(no details available)

	Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
	Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: > 20%
	Share of newly purchased stock: > 50%
		(no details available)

	Market potential (railways): high
		Most railway operators currently follow the paradigm of replacing loco-hauled trains by MUs wherever possible. The future market for such vehicles in local and suburban transport will therefore remain on its current high level and is expected to grow for main line and high speed trains.

	Example:
		(no details available)

Environmental criteria

Economic criteria

Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)

Overall rating

	Overall potential: very promising
	Time horizon: short-term
		MU stock is generally seen as the best vehicle solution for suburban and regional passenger operation, and more recently for high-speed trains as well. Even though energy savings are obviously not the main motivation to introduce MU stock, energy efficiency is clearly in favour of decentralised traction concepts. The question whether loco-hauled stock offers substantial flexibility advantages over MU stock is difficult to answer in a general manner. However, short MU train sets which can be coupled to longer trains according to demand are seen as the most satisfying vehicle concept by the majority of operators. This is reflected in the long-term vehicle strategies in most countries.