Computer simulation of electric railway traction systems: modeling and methods

Abstract

The behavior of a rail power system can be predicted through computer simulation from mathematical models. The computer simulation is an important instrument for this project, and makes possible a trial of the possibilities at reduced cost, which allows a posterior comparison among them. Due to its significance, this paper briefly describes the modeling and simulation process of rail power systems. This description starts with the physics involved into the train movement and its mathematical modeling. After this, the paper describes the traffic simulation and the representation of the electric traction circuit that feeds the trains in physical and mathematical terms. Finally, this paper proposes the application of a numerical method to solve this electric traction circuit.The behavior of a rail power system can be predicted through computer simulation from mathematical models. The computer simulation is an important instrument for this project, and makes possible a trial of the possibilities at reduced cost, which allows a posterior comparison among them. Due to its significance, this paper briefly describes the modeling and simulation process of rail power systems. This description starts with the physics involved into the train movement and its mathematical modeling. After this, the paper describes the traffic simulation and the representation of the electric traction circuit that feeds the trains in physical and mathematical terms. Finally, this paper proposes the application of a numerical method to solve this electric traction circuit.