Local energy minimization in optimal train control
Emeritus Professor Phil Howlett (University of South Australia)
MSI Computational Maths SeminarDATE: 2010-09-17
TIME: 12:00:00 - 13:00:00
LOCATION: G35 John Dedman Building
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ABSTRACT:
The calculation of optimal driving strategies for on-board control of freight trains is a challenging task. In this talk we show how to calculate the critical switching points for a globally optimal strategy on a track with steep gradients using a new local energy minimization principle. The method has been implemented successfully in Australia where Pacific National uses the Freightmiser device to calculate optimal switching points and hence provide in-cab advice to train drivers on long-haul freight trains. We will also discuss a perturbation analysis to show how one might prove that the optimal switching points are uniquely defined.
Joint work by Amie Albrecht, Phil Howlett, Peter Pudney and Xuan Vu.
BIO:
http://people.unisa.edu.au/Phil.Howlett
