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General information
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Description
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Traditional freight service is time and cost intensive partly due to complex
coupling and train forming processes which require costly facilities. Based on
the concept of self-propelled freight cars, a new method of train
formation has been proposed: virtually coupled train formations. The concept is
based on the idea of using modern electronics and data transmission to run
several self-propelled units one behind the other without physical contact but
at distances as short as mechanically coupled cars.
The train modules could automatically join or leave the virtual train
formation when they reach a junction. This way the advantages of self-propelled
freight cars could be combined with those of long loco-hauled trains:
- advantages of self-propelled freight cars: flexibility, no time-intensive
coupling processes
- advantages of long loco-hauled trains: reduction of aerodynamics through
coupled wagons, increased capacity by occupying only one slot (in a
fixed-block system)
Safety of virtually coupled train formations The close distance of the
multiple units requires all modules to have the same technical parameters known
in the system (weight, acceleration). Approaching a danger point the individual
train modules would have to keep at a least minimum braking distance.
Communication
Such a system heavily depends on information and communication
technologies. The communication requirements can be divided into two groups:
- A highly reliable and fast short range communication system to realise the
distance control (DECT could be a candidate here)
- A far range communication system with less requirements concerning
availability used for disposition (GSM could be suited for this
purpose)
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General criteria
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Status of development: research & experiments |
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The concept of virtually coupled train formations is currently studied at the Technical University of Brunswick (Institute for Electrical Measurement and Fundamentals of Electronics). |
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Time horizon for broad application: in > 10 years |
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(no details available) |
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Expected technological development: highly dynamic |
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(no details available) |
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Motivation:
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Raise capacity of infrastructure while reducing production costs and times in freight traffic. |
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Benefits (other than environmental): big |
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Service quality in freight service
Virtually coupled train formations of (LINK!) FMUs could substantially raise
the efficiency of providing freight services in railways (time and cost
reduction, point-to-point relations)
Capacity
Virtually coupled trains only occupy one slot (compared to several for
freight train units running separately on the infrastructure) |
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Barriers: high |
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Technological
The concept is still far away from technical maturity.
Safety
There is obviously a number of safety issues associated with virtual train
coupling.
Transition costs
Introduction of a completely new system in freight traffic is costly. For the
system to work efficiently a critical mass of equipped vehicles has to be
reached. |
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Success factors:
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(no details available) |
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Applicability for railway segments: high |
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Type of traction: electric - DC, electric - AC, diesel
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Type of transportation: freight
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(no details available) |
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Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
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Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: 0 % |
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Share of newly purchased stock: 0 % |
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(no details available) |
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Market potential (railways): highly uncertain |
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The concept is presently too far away from implementation stage in order to assess its market potential. |
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Example:
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Concept not realised yet. |
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Environmental criteria
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Impacts on energy efficiency:
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Energy efficiency potential for single vehicle: (no data) |
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Energy efficiency potential throughout fleet: (no data) |
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Energy efficiency potential of virtual train coupling obviously depends on the point of reference. Compared to loco-hauled mechanically coupled trains, virtual coupling will be less rather than more energy efficient. However compared to self-propelled freight cars running separately, virtual coupled trains will have much better aerodynamic behaviour. The quantification of this effect depends on many parameters and is not possible in a general manner. |
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Other environmental impacts: neutral |
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(no details available) |
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Economic criteria
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Vehicle - fix costs: medium |
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IT and communication equipment. |
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Vehicle - running costs: (no data) |
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(no details available) |
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Infrastructure - fix costs: (no data) |
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It is presently not clear what additional infrastructural equipment would be required to implement the system. |
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Infrastructure - running costs: (no data) |
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(no details available) |
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Scale effects: (no data) |
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(no details available) |
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Amortisation: (no data) |
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(no details available) |
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Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)
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Overall rating
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Overall potential: promising |
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Time horizon: long-term |
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The concept is too immature to make a reliable assessment of its future feasibility and energy saving potential, especially since it is closely related to the concept of self-propelled freight cars which is equally uncertain. It is however interesting enough to justify further R&D efforts. |