Metromiser and freightmiser
(B Benjamin, P Howlett, I Milroy and P Pudney)The Scheduling and Control Group has developed two separate systems for minimising energy consumption on trains: Metromiser for suburban trains, and Freightmiser for long-haul trains.
The Metromiser system improves timekeeping and reduces energy consumption on suburban trains. For suburban rail journeys, the most efficient way to drive between each pair of stations is to accelerate briskly, coast as soon as possible, then brake. The Metromiser system helps the driver minimise energy consumption by comparing the progress of the train to the timetable and calculating the earliest coasting time that will still get the train to the next stop on time. The system automatically "learns" the coasting and braking performance of the train on each journey section.
The Metromiser system was developed, trialled and patented by the Scheduling and Control Group in the period 1984-1990. It is now being manufactured by Siemens, who guarantee energy savings of 15%.
The optimal driving strategy for a long-haul train is much more difficult to calculate, firstly because train performance parameters are generally not known before the journey starts, and secondly because of the influence of the many changes of gradient and speed limit encountered during the journey. Between 1990 and 1999 the Scheduling and Control Group developed much of the theory required to understand and develop optimal control strategies for long-haul trains. From 1999-2001 the group collaborated with TMG International on a SPIRT project to develop software that could calculate optimal long-haul train journeys, and in December 2000 this system was tested on a New South Wales wheat train.
An in-cab Freightmiser system for long-haul trains is currently being trialled and developed as a Rail CRC project.