Collaborative Digital Twin Development for Railway Braking and Traction Applications

Abstract

The paper presents the collaborative development of a digital twin for railway braking and traction applications as part of the ERJU MOTIONAL project. The project’s goal is to enhance the efficiency, user-friendliness, and maintainability of European railways through the application of digital twin concepts across nine distinct use cases. Contributing components are shared in a common library as Functional Mock-up Units (FMUs), enabling the creation of digital twins for various applications. Specifically, this study focuses on the braking and traction use case for virtual validation purposes. The paper details the vehicle dynamics model, control units, and their interfaces, presenting simulation results under diverse adhesion conditions. Additionally, it highlights the potential benefits of digital twins in optimizing railway operations and monitoring system integrity, ultimately enhancing the reliability and efficiency of railway transportation.