Computer aided design tool for the study of electric traction fixed installations and train operation

The complexity in design and dimensioning of electric traction fixed installations necessitates the development of a methodology for dimensioning based on numerical simulation models. This solution gives faster and more reliable results than those obtained by the empirical and inaccurate methods previously used. A computer aided design tool implementing this methodology is presented in this paper. Various elements such as truck data, catenary, traction substations, rolling stock, train composition, railway network and schedule conditions are considered. The analysis of the resulting simulated output allows optimisation and selection of the best solution for the power supply system of a railway network, as far as traction substations and overhead line systems are concerned. Therefore, the final choice of the electrical energy supply system that fulfils the technical requirements and ensures the programmed traffic, should be submitted to the analysis of a minimum cost criterion, regarding available feeding points of the energy supplier network.