Modelling of traction in railway vehicles

The design concept of locomotives, which was introduced more than 200 years ago, continues to be developed and further improved. The progress of science and technology, especially in the field of computer modelling, allows rapid adoption of new and advanced forms of traction to railway vehicles. Recent publications [1,2] show that the design process requires the application of modern and advanced simulation techniques and tools. When undertaking theoretical and experimental studies on the behaviour of rail traction vehicles, it is necessary to solve multidisciplinary problems in vehicle system dynamics [3] and it is also highly desirable to evaluate the whole vehicle as a mechatronic system.[2,4] The process therefore requires the application of specialised software tools to evaluate vehicle behaviour, the development of a mechatronic system model (control system and vehicle dynamics model) and its verification.