Comparison of Energy-Saving Driving Style Strategies

Abstract

Due to the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels and the climate change, the importance of energy efficiency is increasing. This importance is major especially in areas where the energy consumption is high. Rail transport depicts such an area. The highest proportion of energy consumed in the railway is the so called traction energy. This energy is required for the train run. In the timetable, allowances leave a margin for the driving style of train run. By the selective use of strategies that change the driving style, it is possible to exploit these allowances and reduce the traction energy consumption. The first objective of this study deals with the development of algorithms for energy-saving driving style. First, the necessary input variables of the algorithms based on the literature research and the formulas of train dynamics were determined. Then the algorithms were developed to create different energy-saving driving styles, resulting choose the best result which should be shown as a driving recommendation. The developed algorithms were used in an application example in order to calculate the potential of energy-savings. The example should represent the influence of the input variables for a comparison of different situations. At last the acceptance of the determined driving strategies in practice was investigated. By implementing the design thinking method it was identified that driver advisory systems and training programs are necessary to facilitate energy-saving driving in practice.