Speed harmonisation is a means to improve line capacity especially where demixing fails. The measure consists in adapting the speeds of all trains running on the same track. Increased traffic fluidity can have energy efficiency effects.
Technology field:Energy efficient driving
General information
General criteria
Status of development: in use
Speed harmonisation does not yet play a significant role in most networks. According to DB AG, role of speed harmonisation could grow slightly in the future when line demixing reaches its limits.
Time horizon for broad application: not applicable
Speed harmonisation is not expected to play a dominant role in capacity management. Time horizon for broad application is therefore not applicable.
Expected technological development: not applicable
(no details available)
Motivation:
Increased capacity
Cost savings through homogenised demand
Benefits (other than environmental): medium
Infrastructure costs
On lines with harmonised speeds, infrastructure can be optimised to a certain
extent to the specific speed.
Barriers: high
Service quality
Since in most cases, speed harmonisation means reducing the speed (and
increasing the running times) of faster trains, the measure has a negative
impact on service quality and will therefore only be applied in critical
cases.
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, freight
Traction
Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: not applicable
Share of newly purchased stock: not applicable
(no details available)
Market potential (railways): not applicable
(no details available)
Example:
(no details available)
Environmental criteria
Economic criteria
Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)