Manchester Metrolink has entered a partnership with rail technology company EneRail to optimise driver performance on the Bury line, which is expected to deliver tangible energy savings across its network.
EneRail is a rail spin-out from the University of Birmingham, and provides driver advisory systems and energy modelling simulations that will deliver cleaner and optimised traction energy solutions, resulting in savings in energy costs.
A briefing by the EneRail led by Professor Stuart Hillmansen and Dr Ning Zhao outlined the optimisation process, and demonstrated how energy consumption can be reduced through the use of coasting in tram operations.
The team had developed a model of the Bury to Manchester Victoria line route, which they used to produce modelling and simulation outputs for various potential optimised driving strategies.
When the modelling and simulations are compared with real vehicle data, it is possible to identify the amount of potential energy benefits that could be achieved.
The main outcome of the project is that, when compared to normal driving practice, approximately 10% savings in energy are possible over the route through using the techniques demonstrated, with negligible effect on timekeeping.
This has a direct result in helping to make the railway more sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective, encouraging sustainable travel, and thereby lowering emissions. It also supports Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s aim that the region should achieve a Net Zero target by 2030.
Martyn Chymera, from Keolis Amey Metrolink, commented that this innovative project will further enable Manchester Metrolink to continue to provide a sustainable and efficient service for passengers across the region.
On the East West Rail line from Oxford, extensive thermal modelling took place to identify how to improve energy efficiency. To help reduce fuel consumption and cut emissions, Colas Rail UK is adding a conditioner to the fuel used by its diesel locomotives.
“Our partnership with Manchester Metrolink is a real milestone for EneRail and highlights the benefits that collaborative working provides. Having the chance to fuse our knowledge and research with Manchester Metrolink enables their network to run efficiently, but above all else, sustainably, a key motivator for industry and passengers alike.”
Stuart Hillmansen, Chief Technology Officer at EneRail
Responses
when will the metro line to bury from heywood station be done this is the cheapest option on east lance railway bury metro is a stones throw away or a bridge or underpass
after this is done castleton etc east lance railway can have a tourist steam line and a electric metro link stop wasting money by thinking of going Middleton castleton manchester a stop also could be put at darnhill heywood heywood has a 10million pound grant for the east lancs which a million would make it wider and heywood station nicer heywood cant do it with there full money as it belongs to the town but
east lance Manchester bus metrolink together have this done in 12 mths to 18mts
all could work together if andy Burnham’s dream is going to happen but dreams are dreams yes they are heywood darnhill metro link a plan
The use of coasting can work to use less energy in public rail systems but its use is dependent on the timings that the rail systems have to adhere to in normal operational conditions. In light rail and tram systems you often have conditions where you are accelerating or braking with little opportunity to coast. At the very start of electric trams you had situations where a tram going down a hill would with it’s motor working in reverse would put power back in to the system and actually help tram going up hill, this sounded a good idea but did lead to problems when the power was supplied when not needed and did cause accidents.