Optimization of the longitudinal dynamics of parallel hybrid railway vehicles

In this paper, a basic simulation model of the longitudinal dynamics is developed for a diesel hybrid railway vehicle with a battery as energy storage system. This model represents an inverse system description that employs a given duty cycle to compute all system variables in a purely algebraic manner. Based on the developed simulation model, three different optimization strategies aiming at the minimization of fuel consumption are investigated. The optimization parameters that are used in these approaches allow for a modification of certain phases of the operating strategy. The optimization results indicate possible reductions of the fuel consumption of more than 20 percent in comparison with a pure diesel operation.