Driver advisory systems (DAS) in railway operations can support train drivers in their work without interfering with vehicle control or safety technology. The driving recommendations optimize the driving trajectory of the individual trains within the limits of the operational specifications. As a result, the trains reach their destination on time and utilize scope to save energy. However, current systems concentrate mainly on the view of the individual train and the optimization of its own trajectory. In addition, unforeseen events such as increased passenger volumes or overall energy demand calculations over several train journeys cannot be adequately taken into account.
In the mFUND project FASaN, a prototype advanced driver advisory system is being developed and evaluated in real operation. The advanced DAS connects information by taking the timetable position of surrounding trains into account, enabling train conflicts to be detected at an early stage and operations to be optimized. The project, which builds on previous work from the mFUND project FAS-D, will use four use cases to demonstrate the practical improvements that can be achieved:
Connection between trains means that acceleration processes can be equalized and thus peak loads can be avoided. Current predictions of passenger changeover times are taken into account when calculating the driving recommendations, which leads to greater punctuality. The improved information from the DAS is also used to improve passenger information. The involvement of train drivers is fundamental to a good solution and increases acceptance of the system, which is a prerequisite for achieving the other objectives.
On the one hand, the Institute of Transportation Systems at DLR is involved in developing new data sources and driving recommendations that avoid peak loads and take expected passenger volumes into account. On the other hand, passenger information is improved through co-creation processes involving all stakeholder groups and the acceptance of train drivers is increased through training and motivation concepts.
The prototype implementation of the driver advisory system with integration into an operations control system and validation in real operations is being carried out in a project consortium with the Institut für angewandte Verkehrstelematik GmbH (INAVET), Ostdeutschen Eisenbahn GmbH (ODEG) and ETC Solutions GmbH.
Project title:
FASaN - Fahrerassistenzsysteme adaptive Nachhaltigkeit im Bahnbetrieb
Duration:
10/2021 bis 12/2024
Project volume:
€ 2,374,808 € (of which 66% subsidised by the BMDV)
Contracting authority:
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV)
Project coordinator:
Institut für angewandte Verkehrstelematik GmbH (INAVET)
Project participants:
Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH (ODEG)
ETC Solutions GmbH (ETC)
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Transportation Systems
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