Self Driving Train
Self Driving Train
Embedded Files
A Theoretical Design for an Efficient Automated Train System
A Theoretical Design for an Efficient Automated Train System
Completed Spring 2021
This project was done as my capstone project for my bachelors degree. There were a few options for the capstone, and I chose to complete a group project variant, focusing on designing a new product from scratch that addressed a major issue facing the world today. In addition, we were supposed to create a fictional start up around the product, and the final deliverable was to create a presentation similar to one which we would give to investors. That final presentation is the document linked above.
This project was done as my capstone project for my bachelors degree. There were a few options for the capstone, and I chose to complete a group project variant, focusing on designing a new product from scratch that addressed a major issue facing the world today. In addition, we were supposed to create a fictional start up around the product, and the final deliverable was to create a presentation similar to one which we would give to investors. That final presentation is the document linked above.
Our group decided to tackle the dual issue of decreasing emissions and improving infrastructure. In specific we targeted the rail industry, we figured the industry had large potential and hasn't had any major innovation in several decades. We brainstormed and came up with a few good ideas to improve the efficiency of trains. Armed with these ideas we conducted several stakeholder interviews with engineers at Wabtec, Bombardier, BNSF, and other rail companies, and were able to narrow it down to a single idea, that of the automated self driving trains.
Our group decided to tackle the dual issue of decreasing emissions and improving infrastructure. In specific we targeted the rail industry, we figured the industry had large potential and hasn't had any major innovation in several decades. We brainstormed and came up with a few good ideas to improve the efficiency of trains. Armed with these ideas we conducted several stakeholder interviews with engineers at Wabtec, Bombardier, BNSF, and other rail companies, and were able to narrow it down to a single idea, that of the automated self driving trains.
It is a bit hard to explain in words exactly how the self driving train works, I will do my best here, but a short animation is available in the presentation on slide 5. Our designed was based on a very old concept, the slip coach. For the many who are unfamiliar, the slip coach was an idea implemented in the late 1800s to increase the efficiency of passenger trains. Essentially, the train would avoid the loss of energy and time associated with coming to a complete stop by simply detaching the last coach of the train which would coast to a stop at the next station. The technology of the day, or lack thereof, made this process quite dangerous and it was eventually phased out. However, with modern train tracking technology it could be safely reimplemented. In addition, we coupled it with modern motive power and automation technologies enabling a new system to emerge. The new system, which we dubbed the ferry car system, functioned by having a powered ferry car, which would be the only car of the train to stop, detaching from the rear and stopping at the station. Then it would continue, speeding up and attaching to the rear of the next passing train, allowing passengers from the station to board. This method limited the loss of energy to that of a single car, and would decrease travel time by allowing the full train to proceed at full speed the entirety of its journey. The system would be able to use the same safety and control computers already installed on most trains, and would take advantage of the lower inertia of an individual car to ensure safe coupling. The document linked below contains more information on the safety and operation of the train.
It is a bit hard to explain in words exactly how the self driving train works, I will do my best here, but a short animation is available in the presentation on slide 5. Our designed was based on a very old concept, the slip coach. For the many who are unfamiliar, the slip coach was an idea implemented in the late 1800s to increase the efficiency of passenger trains. Essentially, the train would avoid the loss of energy and time associated with coming to a complete stop by simply detaching the last coach of the train which would coast to a stop at the next station. The technology of the day, or lack thereof, made this process quite dangerous and it was eventually phased out. However, with modern train tracking technology it could be safely reimplemented. In addition, we coupled it with modern motive power and automation technologies enabling a new system to emerge. The new system, which we dubbed the ferry car system, functioned by having a powered ferry car, which would be the only car of the train to stop, detaching from the rear and stopping at the station. Then it would continue, speeding up and attaching to the rear of the next passing train, allowing passengers from the station to board. This method limited the loss of energy to that of a single car, and would decrease travel time by allowing the full train to proceed at full speed the entirety of its journey. The system would be able to use the same safety and control computers already installed on most trains, and would take advantage of the lower inertia of an individual car to ensure safe coupling. The document linked below contains more information on the safety and operation of the train.
After completing the initial design we got back in contact with our stakeholder for a second round of feedback. Overall the reviews were positive but there were some safety concerns that would be unanswerable without a prototype. In response to this I made a simplified model in matlab that could check the emergency response of the system. While this simulation did much to alleviate fears, it was made clear from the industry experts that a physical prototype would need to be made and shown to be safe before any company would want to invest. The construction of a prototype would take considerable capital and resources to accomplish. This left the project as unproven but theoretically possible, something that was good enough for the sake of my capstone project, but not enough for me. I consider this project, despite its success unfinished and worth revisiting at a later date.
After completing the initial design we got back in contact with our stakeholder for a second round of feedback. Overall the reviews were positive but there were some safety concerns that would be unanswerable without a prototype. In response to this I made a simplified model in matlab that could check the emergency response of the system. While this simulation did much to alleviate fears, it was made clear from the industry experts that a physical prototype would need to be made and shown to be safe before any company would want to invest. The construction of a prototype would take considerable capital and resources to accomplish. This left the project as unproven but theoretically possible, something that was good enough for the sake of my capstone project, but not enough for me. I consider this project, despite its success unfinished and worth revisiting at a later date.
This project was done on a self selected team comprised of myself, another mechanical engineer, and a civil engineer. The team did not have a clear leader, with every member stepping up at various times to push the project along and direct everyone. We did however develop into specialist roles. I took on the task of researching and connecting with experts in the rail industry, as well as doing all the physical analysis on the system. The other mechanical engineer, who was better versed in systems engineering, handled the safety and control systems that would be necessary for the train. The civil engineer handled most of the business research associated with the project.
This project was done on a self selected team comprised of myself, another mechanical engineer, and a civil engineer. The team did not have a clear leader, with every member stepping up at various times to push the project along and direct everyone. We did however develop into specialist roles. I took on the task of researching and connecting with experts in the rail industry, as well as doing all the physical analysis on the system. The other mechanical engineer, who was better versed in systems engineering, handled the safety and control systems that would be necessary for the train. The civil engineer handled most of the business research associated with the project.
Overall I would say the project is incomplete, though it was successful in terms of the class. Our group received a great grade on the project, including a little bit of extra credit due to it being one of the professors (who were the "investors" we were pitching to) favorite projects. However, as I mentioned earlier there are still uncertainties associated with the safety and the need to construct a physical prototype prevent me from considering this project complete. I do think that if this project were to receive proper funding and effort it could be successful and have serious impact on the world, and will likely revisit it someday.
Overall I would say the project is incomplete, though it was successful in terms of the class. Our group received a great grade on the project, including a little bit of extra credit due to it being one of the professors (who were the "investors" we were pitching to) favorite projects. However, as I mentioned earlier there are still uncertainties associated with the safety and the need to construct a physical prototype prevent me from considering this project complete. I do think that if this project were to receive proper funding and effort it could be successful and have serious impact on the world, and will likely revisit it someday.
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