Application of different methods of train passage

Abstract

In this article, in connection with the growth trend of heavy traffic, means of increasing the carrying capacity of railway sections and the mass of a train due to the use of connected trains are considered. The article provides a historical background of the emergence of the technology of passing connected trains, lists its main advantages and the scope of application of connected trains for solving problems related to carrying capacity. The article presents the indicators of the passage of double trains on the East Siberian Railway for 2020, the analysis of which showed an increase in quality indicators in terms of weight norm. The work of the connected trains was analyzed,  resulting in highlighting of the main disadvantages, such as: the loss of time for connecting and disconnecting double trains, a sharp voltage drop in the contact network, the requirement for a stable connection between locomotives, as well as the presence of highly qualified locomotive crews in the head of each train, etc. A solution to the above problems is proposed through the introduction of innovative technologies in the form of an intelligent system of automated driving of trains with distributed traction ISAVP-RT-M, which allows using the technology of driving trains according to the "Virtual Coupling" system, avoiding the physical connection of trains and realizing locomotives of slave trains traveling in the same direction, without a locomotive crew, or locomotive control by one person. The article describes the operation of this system, and also presents a way to optimize movement on a section of a railroad with automatic blocking. The advantages and prospects for the development of the "virtual coupling" technology are indicated. It is proposed to apply this technology to optimize the passage of connected trains along the Krasnoyarsk and East Siberian railways.