Optimal Control of an EMU Using Dynamic Programming and Tractive Effort as the Control Variable

Problem of optimal train control with the aim of minimizing energy consumption is one of the old optimal control problems. During last decades different solutions have been suggested based on different optimization techniques, each including a certain number of constraints or different train configurations, one being the control on the tractive effort available from traction motor. The problem is previously solved using dynamic programming for trains with continuous tractive effort, in which velocity was assumed to be the control variable. The paper at hand presents a solution based on dynamic programming for solving the problem for trains with discrete tractive effort. In this approach, tractive effort is assumed to be the control variable. Moreover a short comparison is made between two approaches regarding accuracy and ease of application in a driver advisory system.