Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming

This research investigates the optimal control problem of heavy haul train for the minimization of longitudinal forces. As the heavy haul train is much heavier and longer than ordinary train, the in-train forces should be carefully manipulated to reduce the train’s maintenance cost and, most importa...

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Main Authors: Xi Wang, Tao Tang, Hui He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2017-04-01
Series:Advances in Mechanical Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814017698110
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author Xi Wang
Tao Tang
Hui He
author_facet Xi Wang
Tao Tang
Hui He
author_sort Xi Wang
collection DOAJ
description This research investigates the optimal control problem of heavy haul train for the minimization of longitudinal forces. As the heavy haul train is much heavier and longer than ordinary train, the in-train forces should be carefully manipulated to reduce the train’s maintenance cost and, most importantly, to ensure operation safety. Specifically, the limitations of pneumatically controlled braking system increase the need for the optimal control strategy to accounting for future grades, speed restrictions and uncertain disturbances. In this article, the stochastic dynamic programming model is adopt to set up a rigorous mathematical formulation for heavy haul train control, and approximate dynamic programming algorithm with lookup table representation is introduced to find the optimal solution of the considered problem. By handling the existed uncertainties in a mathematical way, the post-decision state variable is utilized to represent the state of the heavy haul train after we have made a control decision but before any exogenous information has arrived. Finally, the computational results demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed model and algorithm.
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spelling doaj.art-23d2304980714ed7a960ad05e8b8afcf2022-12-21T21:47:05ZengSAGE PublishingAdvances in Mechanical Engineering1687-81402017-04-01910.1177/1687814017698110Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programmingXi Wang0Tao Tang1Hui He2National Engineering Research Center of Rail Transportation Operation and Control System, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Rail Traffic Control and Safety, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Rail Traffic Control and Safety, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaThis research investigates the optimal control problem of heavy haul train for the minimization of longitudinal forces. As the heavy haul train is much heavier and longer than ordinary train, the in-train forces should be carefully manipulated to reduce the train’s maintenance cost and, most importantly, to ensure operation safety. Specifically, the limitations of pneumatically controlled braking system increase the need for the optimal control strategy to accounting for future grades, speed restrictions and uncertain disturbances. In this article, the stochastic dynamic programming model is adopt to set up a rigorous mathematical formulation for heavy haul train control, and approximate dynamic programming algorithm with lookup table representation is introduced to find the optimal solution of the considered problem. By handling the existed uncertainties in a mathematical way, the post-decision state variable is utilized to represent the state of the heavy haul train after we have made a control decision but before any exogenous information has arrived. Finally, the computational results demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed model and algorithm.https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814017698110
spellingShingle Xi Wang
Tao Tang
Hui He
Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
Advances in Mechanical Engineering
title Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
title_full Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
title_fullStr Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
title_full_unstemmed Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
title_short Optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
title_sort optimal control of heavy haul train based on approximate dynamic programming
url https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814017698110
work_keys_str_mv AT xiwang optimalcontrolofheavyhaultrainbasedonapproximatedynamicprogramming
AT taotang optimalcontrolofheavyhaultrainbasedonapproximatedynamicprogramming
AT huihe optimalcontrolofheavyhaultrainbasedonapproximatedynamicprogramming