Energy Efficiency Strategies in Railway Transportation: Technologies, Modeling and Operational Approaches A Review

Abstract

The enhancement of the energy efficiency of railway transport has turned into an urgent task due to the rising mobility demand and the rising concerns regarding the environment. Even though the railways are already more energy-efficient than most other modes of transport, additional energy consumption and emissions cuts are necessary to meet sustainability goals. The paper will introduce in-depth review of the energy-efficient techniques in the railroad system, including both technological, infrastructural, modelling and operational techniques. Major technologies, including regenerative braking, onboard and infrastructure-based energy storage systems and other alternative propulsion technologies, including fuel cell-battery hybrid systems, are addressed. The paper also discusses advanced modeling and simulation frameworks that are needed to study the dynamics of trains and traction power supply and the energy flows. In addition, operational strategies to decrease energy consumption such as speed profile optimization, coasting control, time-based energy optimization and traffic control in terms of headway control are discussed. This review offers a comprehensive picture of how coherent technological and operational strategies could deliver a great deal of energy efficiency to the railway transportation systems.