A Simplified Virtual Driver for Energy Optimization of Railway Vehicles

Optimization of many onboard railway subsystems is often performed through the usage of simulators. The way in which the simulated railway vehicle is driven to perform the desired mission play a key role in the optimization of investigated subsystems especially if they are related to energy efficiency. In literature most common approaches are based on the solution of a direct dynamic problem (longitudinal forces are applied, kinematic is calculated) or an inverse dynamic one (kinematic is imposed corresponding forces are calculated). Both approaches have their own advantages and drawbacks. In this work, it's proposed a hybrid approach based on the usage of gain scheduled transfer functions a method which is common for the modelling of servo-valves which proved to be an unexpected optimal solution to properly shape a train mission profile