Energy-efficient driving patterns in electric railway traction

In recent years due to the introduction of power electronics in traction systems and auxiliary equipment, a `loss free´ voltage control has been obtained. Nevertheless Netherlands Railways Ltd. (NS) is faced with a quite significant increase of the specific traction energy consumption. Here, the authors show that in general, short running times can only be obtained at relatively high power losses. In this paper the possibilities for a consistent reduction of energy consumption are outlined