The rail system is already one of the most energy efficient modes of transportation. However, there is still room for improvement in driving style, operation and vehicle technology. In this area, the Chair of Rail Vehicle focuses on the following engineering services related to energy efficiency and propulsion technology:
- Calculate energy/fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for passenger and freight trains on real routes
- Weight reduction in vehicle design
- Design and evaluation of energy saving potentials, e.g:
- Use of hybrid drive concepts
- Reduction of driving resistance
- Driving mode optimization
- Optimized use of electrodynamic brakes
- Energy recovery through heat exchangers
- Optimal pairing of wheel-rail profiles
- Low energy running technology
