Fast Method to Evaluate Payload Effect on In-Train Forces of Freight Trains

Abstract

Introduction:This paper introduces a fast method to evaluate the effect of payload distribution on in-train forces.Methods:The method is based on Strong Orthogonal Arrays (SOA) and the excellent space-filling properties of Latin Hypercube Design (LHD): SOA-based-LHD is proved to be very efficient in spanning the range of in-train forces for different types of trains (also considering distributed power/braking) and trains operations.Results:The distribution of the percentage of braked mass is used to consider the effect of payload distribution on in-train forces. Because of its computational efficiency, the method proposed here can be satisfactorily employed to perform an optimization analysis of train composition.