Novel Approach for Reducing Train Wheel and Brake Shoe Wear Using Speed Profile Optimization

Abstract

In this article, we propose a new approach for generating a train’s speed profile that takes into account the wear caused by the wheel–rail interaction and brake shoe wear. This method involves modeling the train and its path and simulating the train’s movement to calculate the wear caused by the wheel–rail interaction and brake shoe wear resulting from mechanical braking. Finally, using the particle swarm optimization algorithm, an optimal speed profile is produced, which minimizes the total wear. The results of implementing this method on the Shahriar–Roodshour route demonstrate that using an optimal speed profile results in a significant wear reduction of over 40%.