A simulation-based study for higher speed trains on busy railway mainlines

摘要

Different kinds of trains have been operating on busy railway lines of China. Traditionally in monopoly state, railway operators were not willing to offer passenger train service with higher commercial speed due to line capacity. However, railway operators have been forced to increase the passenger train speed in order to keep their market share in competition with highway transport which has been developed greatly since 1980's in China. This paper analyzes the factors related to the feasibility to increase passenger train speed on Chinese railway mainlines. A target-speed based control policy with technical and operational constraints has been advanced for the purpose to achieve higher speed for passenger trains. With train movement simulator developed by authors, some simulation results have been got to study the feasibility of increasing passenger train speed on mainlines with little reform on existing infrastructures. The research may offer a reference for Chinese railway operators to work out new train schedule.