The pantograph-catenary interaction benchmark

초록

Optimised interaction of the pantograph with the overhead line is needed to ensure effective and reliable operation of trains, especially at high speed and to ensure the interoperability of pantographs, i.e. the capability to operate under catenaries from different national railway networks. Mathematical models are being extensively used for the design of new pantographs and overhead equipment and to address interoperability issues, but a consensus has not been reached on the best suited modelling approach and on the accuracy that can be achieved by numerical models and simulation. This paper describes the current status of a voluntary benchmark initiative involving simulation software from ten research institutions established in countries across Europe and Asia. Aims of the benchmark are to assess the dispersion of results on the same simulation exercises, to demonstrate the accuracy of simulation models with respect to line measurements and to identify the best suited modelling approaches to study pantograph-catenary interaction.