Educational project
FART - Centovalli Railway: analysis and verification of the electric traction system
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With the aim of expanding its rail transport offering, FART SA will introduce a new regional Locarno-Intragna half-hourly service to be produced with new Stadler Rail AG rolling stock. The electric traction (ET) system was verified using TrainsRunner software (©SetteIdea), an electro-mechanical simulator specifically for railway systems. The completed model includes the track, the railway operation and the electric traction plant. The performance of the ET system was evaluated in the current configuration in a degraded regime. High conductor temperatures and wear on the contact line (CL) and track are considered. In addition, the ET plant is also evaluated in the event of substation failure (SSF) and by varying the power supply concept, i.e. through isolated SSFs.
The results show that the current ET installation does not allow for the future production concept. In fact, the minimum voltage at the pantograph is below the 900 V limit imposed by the standard. The proposed optimisation measures are:
In the latter case, operation can also be guaranteed in the event of unavailability of an SSF.
The maximum track potential is within the limits imposed by EN 50122-1. Currently, the peak loads on the rectifier of the Ponte Brolla SSF exceed the permissible values. By implementing optimisation measure no. 2, however, it is possible to fall within the limits defined by the nameplate data. The simulations also made it possible to establish the values required for the calibration of the extra-fast circuit breakers, which are necessary to protect against short circuits.
- construction of an additional SSF in Camedo
- construction of an additional SSF in Locarno and revision of the timetable
In the latter case, operation can also be guaranteed in the event of unavailability of an SSF.
The maximum track potential is within the limits imposed by EN 50122-1. Currently, the peak loads on the rectifier of the Ponte Brolla SSF exceed the permissible values. By implementing optimisation measure no. 2, however, it is possible to fall within the limits defined by the nameplate data. The simulations also made it possible to establish the values required for the calibration of the extra-fast circuit breakers, which are necessary to protect against short circuits.