Train diagram change assistance device and train diagram change assistance method

Abstract

The present invention provides a train diagram change assistance device that can more reliably utilize regenerative electric power. An improvement candidate calculation unit (202) uses train diagram information (3) and regenerative electric energy information (6) indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information (3), and selects, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which the difference between the arrival time and departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which the usage rate of regenerative electric energy is below standard. A train diagram changing unit (203) generates changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information (3) is changed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a train diagram change assistance device and a train diagram change assistance method.[Background Art]

[0002] Due to growing environmental awareness and rising electricity costs, railway operators are placing importance on reducing the power consumption amount. For railway operators, the power consumption amount relating to train operation generally accounts for the largest portion of the total power consumption amount of the entire business. As such, reducing the power consumption amount relating to train operation is an issue.

[0003] In this respect, PTL 1 discloses a technique for reducing the power consumption amount by effectively utilizing regenerative electric power generated by trains. With this technology, the regenerative electric power usage rate per unit time for each power feeding section is calculated from the train diagram and the like, and the time and location where the regenerative electric power usage rate is equal to or smaller than a threshold are notified. This makes it possible to know the times and locations where the usage rate of regenerative electric power is low.[Citation List][Patent Literature]

[0004] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-017034[Summary of Invention][Technical Problem]

[0005] However, the technology described in PTL 1 only makes it possible to know the time and location where the usage rate of regenerative electric power is low, and therefore, it may be difficult to effectively utilize regenerative electric power. For example, to utilize regenerative electric power, it is necessary to adjust train departure and arrival times. However, depending on the time and location where the regenerative electric power usage rate is low, it may be necessary to significantly change train departure and arrival times. In such cases, it is practically difficult to change the departure and arrival times of trains to utilize regenerative electric power, and as a result, regenerative electric power cannot be utilized.

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a train diagram change assistance device and a train diagram change assistance method that can more reliably utilize regenerative electric power.[Solution to Problem]

[0007] A train diagram change assistance device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a train diagram change assistance device for assisting a change in train diagram information indicating an operation plan of a plurality of trains, and includes: a candidate selection unit configured to use the train diagram information and regenerative electric energy information indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information, and select, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which a difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which a usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard; and a diagram changing unit configured to generate changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information is changed.[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably utilize regenerative electric power.[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0009] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a train diagram change assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of station information. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation information. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of actual train diagram information. [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation power transmission history information. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle travel record information. [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of regenerative electric energy information. [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an overall process. [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a regenerative electric power calculation process. [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a candidate calculation process. [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a regenerative electric power display screen. [Description of Embodiments]

[0010] Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a train diagram change assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A train diagram change assistance device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that assists changes in train diagram information indicating a train diagram, which is an operation plan of a plurality of trains, and includes an input unit 101, an output unit 102, a communication unit 103, a processor 104, and a memory 105.

[0012] The input unit 101 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various types of information from a user who uses the train diagram change assistance device 100, for example. The output unit 102 may be a display and the like and outputs (e.g., displays) various types of information, for example. The communication unit 103 may be a network card and the like and communicates with an external device (not shown), for example.

[0013] The processor 104 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, for example, and implements various functional units by reading a computer program (not shown) stored in the memory 105 and executing the read computer program. In the example of Fig. 1, the processor 104 executes a computer program to implement a regenerative electric power calculation unit 201, an improvement candidate calculation unit 202, and a train diagram changing unit 203.

[0014] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates regenerative electric energy information indicating a history of variation during traveling of regenerative electric energy used while each train travels. The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 is a candidate selection unit that selects improvement candidates, which are candidates for change points for changing at least one of the arrival time and the departure time, on the basis of the regenerative electric energy information calculated by the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201. The train diagram changing unit 203 is a diagram changing unit that calculates changed diagram information indicating a changed diagram in which at least one of the arrival time and departure time of a train of the improvement candidates calculated by the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 is changed.

[0015] The memory 105 may be a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, for example, and stores computer programs that specify the operations of the processor 104 as described above. The memory 105 also stores various types of information used and generated by the processor 104. In the example of Fig. 1, the memory 105 stores station information 1, electrical substation information 2, train diagram information 3, electrical substation power transmission history information 4, vehicle travel record information 5, and regenerative electric energy information 6.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of station information 1. The station information 1 is information that indicates the positions of stations that trains stop at or pass through. In the example of Fig. 2, the station information 1 includes fields 11 and 12.

[0017] Field 11 stores a station name, which is the name of a station, as identification information for identifying the station. Field 12 stores the position of the station. In the example of Fig. 2, the position of a station is represented by the distance from a predetermined start point to a predetermined position (for example, a central position) of the station along the line on which the train travels.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation information 2. The electrical substation information 2 is information related to electrical substations that supply electric power to trains to drive the trains. In the example of Fig. 3, the electrical substation information 2 includes fields 21 to 23.

[0019] Field 21 stores an electrical substation name, which is the name of an electrical substation, as identification information for identifying the electrical substation. Field 22 stores the start position of a power feeding section, in which the electrical substation supplies power to trains, and field 23 stores the end position of that power feeding section. In the example of Fig. 3, the start and end positions of the power feeding section are represented by the distances from a predetermined starting point along the line on which the trains travel.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of train diagram information 3. The train diagram information 3 is information that indicates a train diagram, which is a train operation plan. The train diagram information 3 is obtained, for example, from a transportation planning system (not shown) that plans train diagrams. The train diagram information 3 may be dynamic data that indicates, as a train diagram, operation results obtained by a train operation management system (not shown) that manages train operations. In this case, the train diagram information 3 is obtained from the op management system after the end of a day's operation, for example.

[0021] In the example of Fig. 4, the train diagram information 3 includes multiple records 31 each corresponding to a train service. Each record 31 indicates the arrival time and departure time at each station that the train stops at or passes through from the starting station to the terminal station.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation power transmission history information 4. The electrical substation power transmission history information 4 is power transmission history information that indicates the history of variation in the power transmission amount, which is the amount of electricity supplied by each electrical substation to the trains, and is dynamic data that is obtained from the electrical substations and the like and accumulated after the end of a day's operation. In the example of Fig. 5, the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 includes fields 41 to 44.

[0023] Filed 41 stores the name of an electrical substation. Field 42 stores a measurement start time, which is the start point time of a measurement unit time for measuring the power transmission amount supplied by the electrical substation, and field 43 stores a measurement end time, which is the end point time of the measurement unit time. Field 44 stores the power transmission amount supplied by the electrical substation during the measurement unit time from the measurement start time to the measurement end time. When the actual measurement unit time is less than the calculation unit time used to calculate regenerative electric energy described below, the measurement unit time in the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 may be used as the calculation unit time, and field 44 may store a value obtained by adding up the power transmission amounts within the calculation unit time. Also, it is assumed that the calculation unit time is configured in advance such that its boundaries coincide with those of the measurement unit time.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle travel record information 5. The vehicle travel record information 5 is travel record information that indicates the travel record of the train, and is dynamic data that is obtained and accumulated from an on-board monitoring system mounted on the vehicle. In the example of Fig. 6, the vehicle travel record information 5 includes fields 50 to 59.

[0025] Field 50 stores a train name, which is the name of a train, as identification information for identifying the train. Field 51 stores the train vehicle type. Field 52 stores the traveling section, which is the section in which the train was traveling during the obtainment unit time for obtaining the travel record. In the illustrated example, the traveling section is indicated as a section between stations, but is not limited to this example. Field 53 stores the start point position, which is the position of the train at the start point time of the obtainment unit time, and field 54 stores the end point position, which is the position of the train at the end point time of the obtainment unit time. Field 55 stores the start point time of the obtainment unit time, and field 56 stores the end point time of the obtainment unit time. Field 57 stores the start point speed, which is the speed of the train at the start point time, and field 58 stores the end point speed, which is the speed of the train at the end point time. Field 59 stores the power consumption amount, which is the amount of power consumed by the train in the obtainment unit time. As such, the travel record information indicates a history of variation in the power consumption amount that is consumed while each train travels.

[0026] Each piece of dynamic data to be analyzed as above may be data of a specific day, a statistical value (such as an average or median) of data for a predetermined period such as a month or half a year, or a statistical value of data clustered by characteristics such as weather or season. The statistical values are preferably calculated from data excluding unusual days, such as days when train services were disrupted.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of regenerative electric energy information 6. The regenerative electric energy information 6 is information calculated by the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201. In the example of Fig. 7, the regenerative electric energy information 6 includes fields 60 to 66.

[0028] Field 60 stores an identification name that identifies a calculation section in which regenerative electric power is calculated. The calculation section is specified by a combination of a calculation unit time for calculating regenerative electric power and a power feeding section. Field 61 stores the start position of the calculation section, and field 62 stores the end position of the calculation section. Field 63 stores the start time of the calculation section, and field 64 stores the end time of the calculation section. Field 65 stores the section power consumption amount which is the amount of power consumed by the train in the calculation section. Field 66 stores the regenerative electric energy used in the calculation section.

[0029] Fig. 8 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an overall process performed by the train diagram change assistance device 100.

[0030] In the overall process, first, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 reads the electrical substation information 2 from the memory 105 (step S101). Then, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs loop process A, in which steps S102 to S104 are repeated for each record of the electrical substation information 2.

[0031] Specifically, in loop process A, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 first obtains one of the records of the electrical substation information 2 as target electrical substation information (step S102). Based on the target electrical substation information, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs a regenerative electric energy calculation process (see Fig. 9) to calculate, for each calculation unit time, the regenerative electric energy generated in the power feeding section indicated in the target electrical substation information, as the regenerative electric energy for each calculation section specified by the calculation unit time and the power feeding section (step S103). Then, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 adds the calculated regenerative electric energy for each calculation section to the regenerative electric energy information 6 and stores it in the memory 105 (step S104).

[0032] Then, loop process A ends when the processing of steps S102 to S104 is completed for all records, and the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 performs a candidate calculation process (see Fig. 10) to calculate improvement candidates in the train diagram information 3 on the basis of the regenerative electric energy information 6 recorded in the memory 105 (step S105).

[0033] Then, the train diagram changing unit 203 displays a regenerative electric power display screen (see Fig. 11), which is a screen showing the regenerative electric energy for each calculation section, on the output unit 102 (step S106). For example, the regenerative electric power display screen may be a screen in which a diagram illustrating the train diagram information 3 is divided into calculation sections, and each of the areas corresponding the calculation sections is displayed in a color according to the level of the line power amount.

[0034] The train diagram changing unit 203 further displays improvement candidates on the regenerative electric power display screen (step S107). At this time, the train diagram changing unit 203 highlights the improvement candidates.

[0035] The train diagram changing unit 203 performs diagram change processing to generate changed diagram information indicating a changed diagram in which at least one of the arrival time and departure time of a train of the improvement candidates is changed (step S108), and ends the process.

[0036] In the diagram change processing at step S108, for example, the train diagram changing unit 203 first receives a change instruction from the user to change one or both of the station departure time and station arrival time of an improvement candidate. The train diagram changing unit 203 changes the train diagram in accordance with the change instruction. At this time, when the station departure time of a train is changed, the train diagram changing unit 203 also changes the station arrival time at the next station by the amount of change in the station departure time so that the traveling time between the stations does not change. As such, when the station departure time at the next station is equal to or less than the "station arrival time of the next station + minimum stop time", the train diagram changing unit 203 displays an alert on the output unit 102. Also, when the station arrival time of a train is changed, the train diagram changing unit 203 also changes the station departure time at the previous station by the change in the station arrival time so that the traveling time between the stations does not change. As such, when the station arrival time at the previous station is equal to or less than the "station departure time at the previous station - minimum stop time", the train diagram changing unit 203 displays an alert on the output unit 102. The minimum stop time is configured in advance for each station.

[0037] The train diagram changing unit 203 may automatically change the train diagram according to a predetermined algorithm, instead of receiving a change instruction from a user.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the regenerative electric power calculation process at step S103 of Fig. 8.

[0039] In the regenerative electric power calculation process, first, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 generates target data, which is regenerative electric energy information (data equivalent to one record of the regenerative electric energy information 6 shown in Fig. 7) corresponding to a process target section, which is the calculation section for which regenerative electric energy is to be calculated (step S201). At this time, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 configures the "power feeding section start position" of the target electrical substation information as the "start position" of the target data, configures the "power feeding section end position" of the target electrical substation information as the "end position", configures the "process start time" as the "start time", and configures the "start time + calculation unit time" as the "end time" of the target data. The process start time may be configured by the user, for example.

[0040] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs loop process B in which steps S202 to S208 are repeated until the "start time" of the target data becomes the process end time. The process end time may be configured by the user, for example.

[0041] In loop process B, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 first reads the vehicle travel record information 5 from the memory 105 (step S202). The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs loop process C in which the processing of steps S203 to S205 is repeated for each record of the vehicle travel record information 5.

[0042] In loop process C, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 first obtains one of the records of the vehicle travel record information 5 as target travel record information (step S203).

[0043] Then, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 determines whether the target travel record information includes information within the process target section (step S204). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 compares the "start point position" and "start point time" of the target travel record information with the "start position", "end position", "start time", and "end time" of the process target section, and when the following condition C11 or C12 is satisfied, it determines that the target travel record includes information within the process target section.

[0044] Condition C11: "End position of process target section > start position of target travel record information ≥ start position of process target section" and "end time of process target section > start time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section"

[0045] Condition C12: "End position of process target section > end position of target travel record information ≥ start position of process target section" and "end time of process target section ≥ end time of target travel record information > start time of process target section"

[0046] When the target travel record information does not include information within the process target section, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 returns to the processing of step S203. In contrast, when the target travel record information includes information within the process target section, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates a section power consumption amount in the process target section on the basis of the power consumption amount of the target travel record information (step S205). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates an overlap ratio, which is the ratio of the obtainment unit time of the target travel record information to the time of the process target section, and adds the value obtained by multiplying the power consumption amount of the target travel record information by the overlap ratio (power consumption amount × overlap ratio) to the section power consumption amount of the process target section.

[0047] The overlap ratio is: 1 (100%) for case C21 ("end time of process target section > start time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section" and "end time of process target section ≥ end time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section"); "(end time of process target section - start time of target travel record information) / (end time of target travel record information - start time of target travel record information)" for case C22 ("end time of process target section > start time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section" and "end time of process target section < end time of target travel record information"); and "(end time of target travel record information - start time of process target section) / (end time of target travel record information - start time of target travel record information)" for case C23 ("start time of target travel record information < start time of process target section" and "end time of process target section ≥ end time of target travel record information > start time of process target section").

[0048] When the processing of steps S203 to S205 is completed for all records of the vehicle travel record information 5, loop process C ends. In this case, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 obtains, from the electrical substation power transmission history information 4, a record corresponding to the process target section as the target power transmission history information (step S206). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 obtains as the target power transmission history information all records in the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 that have the same "electrical substation name" as the "electrical substation name" of the target electrical substation information and that satisfy "end time of process target section > measurement start time ≥ start time of process target section". In this embodiment, since the unit time of the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 is configured such that the boundaries of the measurement unit time coincide with those of the calculation unit time, it is sufficient to consider only the measurement start time.

[0049] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates the regenerative electric energy in the process target section on the basis of the power transmission amount in the target power transmission history information obtained at step S206 and the section power consumption amount in the process target section, and registers the regenerative electric energy in the target data (step S207). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates the regenerative electric energy of the process target section by subtracting the combined value of the power transmission amounts of the target power transmission history information obtained at step S206 from the section power consumption amount of the process target section.

[0050] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 generates new target data by configuring the end time of the current target data as the start time and configuring the value obtained by adding the unit time to that start time as the end time (step S208).

[0051] Then, when the processing of steps S202 to S208 is completed so that the start time becomes the process end time, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 ends loop process B and ends the regenerative electric power calculation process.

[0052] In the regenerative electric power calculation process described above, the regenerative electric energy is calculated from the power consumption amount in the vehicle travel record information 5. However, if the regenerative electric energy is registered in advance as the vehicle travel record information 5, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 may use that regenerative electric energy.

[0053] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the candidate calculation process at step S105 of Fig. 8.

[0054] In the candidate calculation process, first, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains the regenerative electric energy information 6 from the memory 105 (step S301). The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 performs loop process D in which the processing of steps S302 to S307 is repeated for each record of the regenerative electric energy information 6.

[0055] In loop process D, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains one of the records of the regenerative electric energy information 6, and configures the calculation section specified by the "start position", "end position", "start time", and "end time" of that record as the target calculation section (step S302).

[0056] The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains all station arrival data of regenerative trains, which are trains arriving at a station within the target calculation section, from the train diagram information 3 in the memory 105 (step S303). The regenerative train is a train that generates regenerative electric power in the target calculation section, and the station arrival data includes an arrival station and an arrival time.

[0057] The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 performs loop process E in which the processing of steps S304 to S305 is repeated for each piece of station arrival data.

[0058] In loop process E, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 selects one of the station arrival data pieces as the target station arrival data (step S304). Then, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains from the train diagram information 3 the station departure data of a train for which the train diagram can be adjusted such that the train can receive regenerative electric power generated by the target regenerative train, which is a regenerative train corresponding to the target station arrival data, without affecting preceding or following trains (step S305). The station departure data includes a departure station and an arrival time.

[0059] In this process, a small amount of adjustment to the train diagram may be considered not to affect preceding or following trains. For this reason, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 specifically obtains the station departure data of a train that satisfies the following conditions C31 and C32.

[0060] Condition C31: The departure time is within a certain range before or after the arrival time of the target regenerative train.

[0061] Nevertheless, when the departure station of a train on the same line, at the same station, and in the same direction as the target regenerative train is not capable of alternate arrival and departure, this train may be excluded. Also, the determination as to whether to exclude a train in a direction different from that of the target regenerative train may be based on facility conditions such as whether the departure station supports a unified feeding system for both up and down lines. For example, the user may configure in advance facility conditions and whether the station is capable of alternate arrival and departure.

[0062] Condition C32: The departure time is between "the braking timing of the target regenerative train - a certain value" and "the arrival time of the target regenerative train + a certain value"

[0063] Specifically, the braking timing of the target regenerative train is calculated by the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 from the vehicle travel record information 5. For example, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 sorts the records corresponding to the target regenerative train in the vehicle travel record information 5 in ascending order of start point time, starting from the record corresponding to the station arrival time. Then, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 refers to the "start point speed" in order from the top of the sorted records (= the record at the station arrival time), and obtains as the braking timing the "start point time" of the record at which the speed stops increasing from that of the previous record.

[0064] Then, when the processing of steps S304 to S305 is completed for all of the obtained station arrival data, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 ends loop process E and determines whether the regenerative electric power usage margin, which is the value obtained by multiplying the number of obtained station departure data pieces by a predetermined constant, is greater than the regenerative electric energy of the calculation target section by a predetermined value or more. If the regenerative electric power usage margin is greater than the regenerative electric energy of the calculation target section by the predetermined value or more, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 determines that the usage rate of regenerative electric energy is below standard, selects the combination of each target station arrival data piece and the station departure data corresponding to that target station arrival data piece as an improvement candidate (step S306), and ends the process. The user may configure the constant in advance as a guide for the regenerative electric energy.

[0065] Each process described above is merely an example, and there is no limitation to this. For example, at step S306, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 may select improvement candidates from among trains whose vehicle types satisfy predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are conditions specified based on the vehicle type, and include the following conditions C41 to C43, for example. Condition C41: Having a predetermined vehicle type Condition C42: The train in the station arrival data is a vehicle capable of regenerative braking, and is a vehicle that allows the train in the station departure data to utilize regenerative electric power. Condition C43: The train in the station arrival data is not a battery-powered vehicle.

[0066] The vehicle type of each train (such as whether it is capable of regenerative braking and whether it is equipped with a storage battery) may be configured in advance by a user and the like, or may be defined in the vehicle travel record information 5 or the like.

[0067] Also, when the train diagram is a pattern diagram, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains from the regenerative electric energy information 6 all records in which both start and end positions are the same as those of the calculation target section, and selects from among them the record with the largest regenerative electric energy. Then, when the difference between the regenerative electric energy in the calculation target section and the regenerative electric energy in the selected record is equal to or larger than a certain value, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 also selects as improvement candidates the train combination corresponding to the improvement candidates in the selected record. The user may configure in advance whether the train diagram is a pattern diagram, for example.

[0068] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a regenerative electric power display screen. In a regenerative electric power display screen 1100 shown in Fig. 11, the diagram representing a train diagram is divided into sections. The area corresponding to each section is color-coded according to the level of regenerative electric energy. In the example of Fig. 11, sections (a), (c), and (d) belong to the same level, and section (b) belongs to a higher level (having larger regenerative electric energy) than the other sections.

[0069] Additionally, on the regenerative electric power display screen 1100, when there are improvement candidates for station departure times and station arrival times of trains, the station departure times and station arrival times of these trains are highlighted. In the example of Fig. 11, section (a) has a highlighted display portion 1101. In the highlighted display portion 1101, trains 1 and 2 and trains 3 and 4, whose station departure times and station arrival times are close to each other, are highlighted.

[0070] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 uses the train diagram information 3 and regenerative electric energy information 6 indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information 3, and selects, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which the difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard. The train diagram changing unit 203 generates changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information 3 is changed.

[0071] As such, train diagram information is changed on the basis of improvement candidates, which are train combinations in which the difference between arrival and departure times is equal to or less than a certain value, making it possible to generate train diagram information that utilizes greater regenerative electric power without affecting preceding or following trains. This allows regenerative electric power to be more reliably utilized.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the train diagram changing unit 203 displays a regenerative electric power display screen showing improvement candidates, and changes at least one of the arrival and departure times of a train included in the improvement candidates specified by a user. Thus, the train diagram can be changed appropriately in response to the user request.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 generates regenerative electric energy information 6 on the basis of the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 and the vehicle travel record information 5. This eliminates the need to prepare the regenerative electric energy information 6 in advance, facilitating more reliable utilization of regenerative electric power.

[0074] In the present embodiment, since improvement candidates are selected for each power feeding section, it is possible to more reliably utilize regenerative electric power.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 determines that the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard when the regenerative electric power usage margin, which is the value obtained by multiplying the number of obtained station departure data pieces by a predetermined constant, is greater than the regenerative electric energy by a predetermined value or more. In this case, a calculation section in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is low can be easily determined.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 further selects, in the time range in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard, a combination of a train having an arrival time within the time range and a train having a departure time between a time obtained by subtracting a certain value from the braking timing of the train and a time obtained by adding a certain value to the arrival time of the train, as the improvement candidates. In this case, the braking timing can be changed to utilize greater regenerative electric power without affecting preceding or following trains, allowing regenerative electric power to be utilized more reliably.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 selects improvement candidates from among trains whose vehicle types satisfy a predetermined condition. Thus, it is possible to exclude from the improvement candidates a train that cannot utilize regenerative electric power, and to exclude from the improvement candidates a train that can utilize regenerative electric power without adjusting the train diagram because it has a battery for storing regenerative electric power.

[0078] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are examples illustrative of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present disclosure in various other forms without departing from the scope of the disclosure.[Reference Signs List]

[0079] 1Station information 2Electrical substation information 3Train diagram information 4Electrical substation power transmission history information 5Vehicle travel record information 6Regenerative electric energy information 100Train diagram change assistance device 101Input unit 102Output unit 103Communication unit 104Processor 105Memory 201Regenerative electric power calculation unit 202Improvement candidate calculation unit 203Train diagram changing unit

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

[0011]Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a train diagram change assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A train diagram change assistance device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that assists changes in train diagram information indicating a train diagram, which is an operation plan of a plurality of trains, and includes an input unit 101, an output unit 102, a communication unit 103, a processor 104, and a memory 105.

[0012] The input unit 101 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various types of information from a user who uses the train diagram change assistance device 100, for example. The output unit 102 may be a display and the like and outputs (e.g., displays) various types of information, for example. The communication unit 103 may be a network card and the like and communicates with an external device (not ...

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a train diagram change assistance device and a train diagram change assistance method.[Background Art]

[0002] Due to growing environmental awareness and rising electricity costs, railway operators are placing importance on reducing the power consumption amount. For railway operators, the power consumption amount relating to train operation generally accounts for the largest portion of the total power consumption amount of the entire business. As such, reducing the power consumption amount relating to train operation is an issue.

[0003] In this respect, PTL 1 discloses a technique for reducing the power consumption amount by effectively utilizing regenerative electric power generated by trains. With this technology, the regenerative electric power usage rate per unit time for each power feeding section is calculated from the train diagram and the like, and the time and location where the regenerative electric power usage rate is equal to or smaller than a threshold are notified. This makes it possible to know the times and locations where the usage rate of regenerative electric power is low.[Citation List][Patent Literature]

[0004] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-017034[Summary of Invention][Technical Problem]

[0005] However, the technology described in PTL 1 only makes it possible to know the time and location where the usage rate of regenerative electric power is low, and therefore, it may be difficult to effectively utilize regenerative electric power. For example, to utilize regenerative electric power, it is necessary to adjust train departure and arrival times. However, depending on the time and location where the regenerative electric power usage rate is low, it may be necessary to significantly change train departure and arrival times. In such cases, it is practically difficult to change the departure and arrival times of trains to utilize regenerative electric power, and as a result, regenerative electric power cannot be utilized.

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a train diagram change assistance device and a train diagram change assistance method that can more reliably utilize regenerative electric power.[Solution to Problem]

[0007] A train diagram change assistance device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a train diagram change assistance device for assisting a change in train diagram information indicating an operation plan of a plurality of trains, and includes: a candidate selection unit configured to use the train diagram information and regenerative electric energy information indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information, and select, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which a difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which a usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard; and a diagram changing unit configured to generate changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information is changed.[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably utilize regenerative electric power.[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0009] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a train diagram change assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of station information. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation information. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of actual train diagram information. [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation power transmission history information. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle travel record information. [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of regenerative electric energy information. [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an overall process. [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a regenerative electric power calculation process. [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a candidate calculation process. [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a regenerative electric power display screen. [Description of Embodiments]

[0010] Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a train diagram change assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A train diagram change assistance device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that assists changes in train diagram information indicating a train diagram, which is an operation plan of a plurality of trains, and includes an input unit 101, an output unit 102, a communication unit 103, a processor 104, and a memory 105.

[0012] The input unit 101 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various types of information from a user who uses the train diagram change assistance device 100, for example. The output unit 102 may be a display and the like and outputs (e.g., displays) various types of information, for example. The communication unit 103 may be a network card and the like and communicates with an external device (not shown), for example.

[0013] The processor 104 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, for example, and implements various functional units by reading a computer program (not shown) stored in the memory 105 and executing the read computer program. In the example of Fig. 1, the processor 104 executes a computer program to implement a regenerative electric power calculation unit 201, an improvement candidate calculation unit 202, and a train diagram changing unit 203.

[0014] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates regenerative electric energy information indicating a history of variation during traveling of regenerative electric energy used while each train travels. The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 is a candidate selection unit that selects improvement candidates, which are candidates for change points for changing at least one of the arrival time and the departure time, on the basis of the regenerative electric energy information calculated by the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201. The train diagram changing unit 203 is a diagram changing unit that calculates changed diagram information indicating a changed diagram in which at least one of the arrival time and departure time of a train of the improvement candidates calculated by the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 is changed.

[0015] The memory 105 may be a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, for example, and stores computer programs that specify the operations of the processor 104 as described above. The memory 105 also stores various types of information used and generated by the processor 104. In the example of Fig. 1, the memory 105 stores station information 1, electrical substation information 2, train diagram information 3, electrical substation power transmission history information 4, vehicle travel record information 5, and regenerative electric energy information 6.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of station information 1. The station information 1 is information that indicates the positions of stations that trains stop at or pass through. In the example of Fig. 2, the station information 1 includes fields 11 and 12.

[0017] Field 11 stores a station name, which is the name of a station, as identification information for identifying the station. Field 12 stores the position of the station. In the example of Fig. 2, the position of a station is represented by the distance from a predetermined start point to a predetermined position (for example, a central position) of the station along the line on which the train travels.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation information 2. The electrical substation information 2 is information related to electrical substations that supply electric power to trains to drive the trains. In the example of Fig. 3, the electrical substation information 2 includes fields 21 to 23.

[0019] Field 21 stores an electrical substation name, which is the name of an electrical substation, as identification information for identifying the electrical substation. Field 22 stores the start position of a power feeding section, in which the electrical substation supplies power to trains, and field 23 stores the end position of that power feeding section. In the example of Fig. 3, the start and end positions of the power feeding section are represented by the distances from a predetermined starting point along the line on which the trains travel.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of train diagram information 3. The train diagram information 3 is information that indicates a train diagram, which is a train operation plan. The train diagram information 3 is obtained, for example, from a transportation planning system (not shown) that plans train diagrams. The train diagram information 3 may be dynamic data that indicates, as a train diagram, operation results obtained by a train operation management system (not shown) that manages train operations. In this case, the train diagram information 3 is obtained from the op management system after the end of a day's operation, for example.

[0021] In the example of Fig. 4, the train diagram information 3 includes multiple records 31 each corresponding to a train service. Each record 31 indicates the arrival time and departure time at each station that the train stops at or passes through from the starting station to the terminal station.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical substation power transmission history information 4. The electrical substation power transmission history information 4 is power transmission history information that indicates the history of variation in the power transmission amount, which is the amount of electricity supplied by each electrical substation to the trains, and is dynamic data that is obtained from the electrical substations and the like and accumulated after the end of a day's operation. In the example of Fig. 5, the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 includes fields 41 to 44.

[0023] Filed 41 stores the name of an electrical substation. Field 42 stores a measurement start time, which is the start point time of a measurement unit time for measuring the power transmission amount supplied by the electrical substation, and field 43 stores a measurement end time, which is the end point time of the measurement unit time. Field 44 stores the power transmission amount supplied by the electrical substation during the measurement unit time from the measurement start time to the measurement end time. When the actual measurement unit time is less than the calculation unit time used to calculate regenerative electric energy described below, the measurement unit time in the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 may be used as the calculation unit time, and field 44 may store a value obtained by adding up the power transmission amounts within the calculation unit time. Also, it is assumed that the calculation unit time is configured in advance such that its boundaries coincide with those of the measurement unit time.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle travel record information 5. The vehicle travel record information 5 is travel record information that indicates the travel record of the train, and is dynamic data that is obtained and accumulated from an on-board monitoring system mounted on the vehicle. In the example of Fig. 6, the vehicle travel record information 5 includes fields 50 to 59.

[0025] Field 50 stores a train name, which is the name of a train, as identification information for identifying the train. Field 51 stores the train vehicle type. Field 52 stores the traveling section, which is the section in which the train was traveling during the obtainment unit time for obtaining the travel record. In the illustrated example, the traveling section is indicated as a section between stations, but is not limited to this example. Field 53 stores the start point position, which is the position of the train at the start point time of the obtainment unit time, and field 54 stores the end point position, which is the position of the train at the end point time of the obtainment unit time. Field 55 stores the start point time of the obtainment unit time, and field 56 stores the end point time of the obtainment unit time. Field 57 stores the start point speed, which is the speed of the train at the start point time, and field 58 stores the end point speed, which is the speed of the train at the end point time. Field 59 stores the power consumption amount, which is the amount of power consumed by the train in the obtainment unit time. As such, the travel record information indicates a history of variation in the power consumption amount that is consumed while each train travels.

[0026] Each piece of dynamic data to be analyzed as above may be data of a specific day, a statistical value (such as an average or median) of data for a predetermined period such as a month or half a year, or a statistical value of data clustered by characteristics such as weather or season. The statistical values are preferably calculated from data excluding unusual days, such as days when train services were disrupted.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of regenerative electric energy information 6. The regenerative electric energy information 6 is information calculated by the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201. In the example of Fig. 7, the regenerative electric energy information 6 includes fields 60 to 66.

[0028] Field 60 stores an identification name that identifies a calculation section in which regenerative electric power is calculated. The calculation section is specified by a combination of a calculation unit time for calculating regenerative electric power and a power feeding section. Field 61 stores the start position of the calculation section, and field 62 stores the end position of the calculation section. Field 63 stores the start time of the calculation section, and field 64 stores the end time of the calculation section. Field 65 stores the section power consumption amount which is the amount of power consumed by the train in the calculation section. Field 66 stores the regenerative electric energy used in the calculation section.

[0029] Fig. 8 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an overall process performed by the train diagram change assistance device 100.

[0030] In the overall process, first, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 reads the electrical substation information 2 from the memory 105 (step S101). Then, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs loop process A, in which steps S102 to S104 are repeated for each record of the electrical substation information 2.

[0031] Specifically, in loop process A, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 first obtains one of the records of the electrical substation information 2 as target electrical substation information (step S102). Based on the target electrical substation information, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs a regenerative electric energy calculation process (see Fig. 9) to calculate, for each calculation unit time, the regenerative electric energy generated in the power feeding section indicated in the target electrical substation information, as the regenerative electric energy for each calculation section specified by the calculation unit time and the power feeding section (step S103). Then, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 adds the calculated regenerative electric energy for each calculation section to the regenerative electric energy information 6 and stores it in the memory 105 (step S104).

[0032] Then, loop process A ends when the processing of steps S102 to S104 is completed for all records, and the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 performs a candidate calculation process (see Fig. 10) to calculate improvement candidates in the train diagram information 3 on the basis of the regenerative electric energy information 6 recorded in the memory 105 (step S105).

[0033] Then, the train diagram changing unit 203 displays a regenerative electric power display screen (see Fig. 11), which is a screen showing the regenerative electric energy for each calculation section, on the output unit 102 (step S106). For example, the regenerative electric power display screen may be a screen in which a diagram illustrating the train diagram information 3 is divided into calculation sections, and each of the areas corresponding the calculation sections is displayed in a color according to the level of the line power amount.

[0034] The train diagram changing unit 203 further displays improvement candidates on the regenerative electric power display screen (step S107). At this time, the train diagram changing unit 203 highlights the improvement candidates.

[0035] The train diagram changing unit 203 performs diagram change processing to generate changed diagram information indicating a changed diagram in which at least one of the arrival time and departure time of a train of the improvement candidates is changed (step S108), and ends the process.

[0036] In the diagram change processing at step S108, for example, the train diagram changing unit 203 first receives a change instruction from the user to change one or both of the station departure time and station arrival time of an improvement candidate. The train diagram changing unit 203 changes the train diagram in accordance with the change instruction. At this time, when the station departure time of a train is changed, the train diagram changing unit 203 also changes the station arrival time at the next station by the amount of change in the station departure time so that the traveling time between the stations does not change. As such, when the station departure time at the next station is equal to or less than the "station arrival time of the next station + minimum stop time", the train diagram changing unit 203 displays an alert on the output unit 102. Also, when the station arrival time of a train is changed, the train diagram changing unit 203 also changes the station departure time at the previous station by the change in the station arrival time so that the traveling time between the stations does not change. As such, when the station arrival time at the previous station is equal to or less than the "station departure time at the previous station - minimum stop time", the train diagram changing unit 203 displays an alert on the output unit 102. The minimum stop time is configured in advance for each station.

[0037] The train diagram changing unit 203 may automatically change the train diagram according to a predetermined algorithm, instead of receiving a change instruction from a user.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the regenerative electric power calculation process at step S103 of Fig. 8.

[0039] In the regenerative electric power calculation process, first, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 generates target data, which is regenerative electric energy information (data equivalent to one record of the regenerative electric energy information 6 shown in Fig. 7) corresponding to a process target section, which is the calculation section for which regenerative electric energy is to be calculated (step S201). At this time, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 configures the "power feeding section start position" of the target electrical substation information as the "start position" of the target data, configures the "power feeding section end position" of the target electrical substation information as the "end position", configures the "process start time" as the "start time", and configures the "start time + calculation unit time" as the "end time" of the target data. The process start time may be configured by the user, for example.

[0040] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs loop process B in which steps S202 to S208 are repeated until the "start time" of the target data becomes the process end time. The process end time may be configured by the user, for example.

[0041] In loop process B, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 first reads the vehicle travel record information 5 from the memory 105 (step S202). The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 performs loop process C in which the processing of steps S203 to S205 is repeated for each record of the vehicle travel record information 5.

[0042] In loop process C, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 first obtains one of the records of the vehicle travel record information 5 as target travel record information (step S203).

[0043] Then, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 determines whether the target travel record information includes information within the process target section (step S204). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 compares the "start point position" and "start point time" of the target travel record information with the "start position", "end position", "start time", and "end time" of the process target section, and when the following condition C11 or C12 is satisfied, it determines that the target travel record includes information within the process target section.

[0044] Condition C11: "End position of process target section > start position of target travel record information ≥ start position of process target section" and "end time of process target section > start time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section"

[0045] Condition C12: "End position of process target section > end position of target travel record information ≥ start position of process target section" and "end time of process target section ≥ end time of target travel record information > start time of process target section"

[0046] When the target travel record information does not include information within the process target section, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 returns to the processing of step S203. In contrast, when the target travel record information includes information within the process target section, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates a section power consumption amount in the process target section on the basis of the power consumption amount of the target travel record information (step S205). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates an overlap ratio, which is the ratio of the obtainment unit time of the target travel record information to the time of the process target section, and adds the value obtained by multiplying the power consumption amount of the target travel record information by the overlap ratio (power consumption amount × overlap ratio) to the section power consumption amount of the process target section.

[0047] The overlap ratio is: 1 (100%) for case C21 ("end time of process target section > start time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section" and "end time of process target section ≥ end time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section"); "(end time of process target section - start time of target travel record information) / (end time of target travel record information - start time of target travel record information)" for case C22 ("end time of process target section > start time of target travel record information ≥ start time of process target section" and "end time of process target section < end time of target travel record information"); and "(end time of target travel record information - start time of process target section) / (end time of target travel record information - start time of target travel record information)" for case C23 ("start time of target travel record information < start time of process target section" and "end time of process target section ≥ end time of target travel record information > start time of process target section").

[0048] When the processing of steps S203 to S205 is completed for all records of the vehicle travel record information 5, loop process C ends. In this case, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 obtains, from the electrical substation power transmission history information 4, a record corresponding to the process target section as the target power transmission history information (step S206). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 obtains as the target power transmission history information all records in the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 that have the same "electrical substation name" as the "electrical substation name" of the target electrical substation information and that satisfy "end time of process target section > measurement start time ≥ start time of process target section". In this embodiment, since the unit time of the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 is configured such that the boundaries of the measurement unit time coincide with those of the calculation unit time, it is sufficient to consider only the measurement start time.

[0049] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates the regenerative electric energy in the process target section on the basis of the power transmission amount in the target power transmission history information obtained at step S206 and the section power consumption amount in the process target section, and registers the regenerative electric energy in the target data (step S207). Specifically, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 calculates the regenerative electric energy of the process target section by subtracting the combined value of the power transmission amounts of the target power transmission history information obtained at step S206 from the section power consumption amount of the process target section.

[0050] The regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 generates new target data by configuring the end time of the current target data as the start time and configuring the value obtained by adding the unit time to that start time as the end time (step S208).

[0051] Then, when the processing of steps S202 to S208 is completed so that the start time becomes the process end time, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 ends loop process B and ends the regenerative electric power calculation process.

[0052] In the regenerative electric power calculation process described above, the regenerative electric energy is calculated from the power consumption amount in the vehicle travel record information 5. However, if the regenerative electric energy is registered in advance as the vehicle travel record information 5, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 may use that regenerative electric energy.

[0053] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the candidate calculation process at step S105 of Fig. 8.

[0054] In the candidate calculation process, first, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains the regenerative electric energy information 6 from the memory 105 (step S301). The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 performs loop process D in which the processing of steps S302 to S307 is repeated for each record of the regenerative electric energy information 6.

[0055] In loop process D, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains one of the records of the regenerative electric energy information 6, and configures the calculation section specified by the "start position", "end position", "start time", and "end time" of that record as the target calculation section (step S302).

[0056] The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains all station arrival data of regenerative trains, which are trains arriving at a station within the target calculation section, from the train diagram information 3 in the memory 105 (step S303). The regenerative train is a train that generates regenerative electric power in the target calculation section, and the station arrival data includes an arrival station and an arrival time.

[0057] The improvement candidate calculation unit 202 performs loop process E in which the processing of steps S304 to S305 is repeated for each piece of station arrival data.

[0058] In loop process E, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 selects one of the station arrival data pieces as the target station arrival data (step S304). Then, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains from the train diagram information 3 the station departure data of a train for which the train diagram can be adjusted such that the train can receive regenerative electric power generated by the target regenerative train, which is a regenerative train corresponding to the target station arrival data, without affecting preceding or following trains (step S305). The station departure data includes a departure station and an arrival time.

[0059] In this process, a small amount of adjustment to the train diagram may be considered not to affect preceding or following trains. For this reason, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 specifically obtains the station departure data of a train that satisfies the following conditions C31 and C32.

[0060] Condition C31: The departure time is within a certain range before or after the arrival time of the target regenerative train.

[0061] Nevertheless, when the departure station of a train on the same line, at the same station, and in the same direction as the target regenerative train is not capable of alternate arrival and departure, this train may be excluded. Also, the determination as to whether to exclude a train in a direction different from that of the target regenerative train may be based on facility conditions such as whether the departure station supports a unified feeding system for both up and down lines. For example, the user may configure in advance facility conditions and whether the station is capable of alternate arrival and departure.

[0062] Condition C32: The departure time is between "the braking timing of the target regenerative train - a certain value" and "the arrival time of the target regenerative train + a certain value"

[0063] Specifically, the braking timing of the target regenerative train is calculated by the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 from the vehicle travel record information 5. For example, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 sorts the records corresponding to the target regenerative train in the vehicle travel record information 5 in ascending order of start point time, starting from the record corresponding to the station arrival time. Then, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 refers to the "start point speed" in order from the top of the sorted records (= the record at the station arrival time), and obtains as the braking timing the "start point time" of the record at which the speed stops increasing from that of the previous record.

[0064] Then, when the processing of steps S304 to S305 is completed for all of the obtained station arrival data, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 ends loop process E and determines whether the regenerative electric power usage margin, which is the value obtained by multiplying the number of obtained station departure data pieces by a predetermined constant, is greater than the regenerative electric energy of the calculation target section by a predetermined value or more. If the regenerative electric power usage margin is greater than the regenerative electric energy of the calculation target section by the predetermined value or more, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 determines that the usage rate of regenerative electric energy is below standard, selects the combination of each target station arrival data piece and the station departure data corresponding to that target station arrival data piece as an improvement candidate (step S306), and ends the process. The user may configure the constant in advance as a guide for the regenerative electric energy.

[0065] Each process described above is merely an example, and there is no limitation to this. For example, at step S306, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 may select improvement candidates from among trains whose vehicle types satisfy predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are conditions specified based on the vehicle type, and include the following conditions C41 to C43, for example. Condition C41: Having a predetermined vehicle type Condition C42: The train in the station arrival data is a vehicle capable of regenerative braking, and is a vehicle that allows the train in the station departure data to utilize regenerative electric power. Condition C43: The train in the station arrival data is not a battery-powered vehicle.

[0066] The vehicle type of each train (such as whether it is capable of regenerative braking and whether it is equipped with a storage battery) may be configured in advance by a user and the like, or may be defined in the vehicle travel record information 5 or the like.

[0067] Also, when the train diagram is a pattern diagram, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 obtains from the regenerative electric energy information 6 all records in which both start and end positions are the same as those of the calculation target section, and selects from among them the record with the largest regenerative electric energy. Then, when the difference between the regenerative electric energy in the calculation target section and the regenerative electric energy in the selected record is equal to or larger than a certain value, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 also selects as improvement candidates the train combination corresponding to the improvement candidates in the selected record. The user may configure in advance whether the train diagram is a pattern diagram, for example.

[0068] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a regenerative electric power display screen. In a regenerative electric power display screen 1100 shown in Fig. 11, the diagram representing a train diagram is divided into sections. The area corresponding to each section is color-coded according to the level of regenerative electric energy. In the example of Fig. 11, sections (a), (c), and (d) belong to the same level, and section (b) belongs to a higher level (having larger regenerative electric energy) than the other sections.

[0069] Additionally, on the regenerative electric power display screen 1100, when there are improvement candidates for station departure times and station arrival times of trains, the station departure times and station arrival times of these trains are highlighted. In the example of Fig. 11, section (a) has a highlighted display portion 1101. In the highlighted display portion 1101, trains 1 and 2 and trains 3 and 4, whose station departure times and station arrival times are close to each other, are highlighted.

[0070] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 uses the train diagram information 3 and regenerative electric energy information 6 indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information 3, and selects, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which the difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard. The train diagram changing unit 203 generates changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information 3 is changed.

[0071] As such, train diagram information is changed on the basis of improvement candidates, which are train combinations in which the difference between arrival and departure times is equal to or less than a certain value, making it possible to generate train diagram information that utilizes greater regenerative electric power without affecting preceding or following trains. This allows regenerative electric power to be more reliably utilized.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the train diagram changing unit 203 displays a regenerative electric power display screen showing improvement candidates, and changes at least one of the arrival and departure times of a train included in the improvement candidates specified by a user. Thus, the train diagram can be changed appropriately in response to the user request.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the regenerative electric power calculation unit 201 generates regenerative electric energy information 6 on the basis of the electrical substation power transmission history information 4 and the vehicle travel record information 5. This eliminates the need to prepare the regenerative electric energy information 6 in advance, facilitating more reliable utilization of regenerative electric power.

[0074] In the present embodiment, since improvement candidates are selected for each power feeding section, it is possible to more reliably utilize regenerative electric power.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 determines that the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard when the regenerative electric power usage margin, which is the value obtained by multiplying the number of obtained station departure data pieces by a predetermined constant, is greater than the regenerative electric energy by a predetermined value or more. In this case, a calculation section in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is low can be easily determined.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 further selects, in the time range in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard, a combination of a train having an arrival time within the time range and a train having a departure time between a time obtained by subtracting a certain value from the braking timing of the train and a time obtained by adding a certain value to the arrival time of the train, as the improvement candidates. In this case, the braking timing can be changed to utilize greater regenerative electric power without affecting preceding or following trains, allowing regenerative electric power to be utilized more reliably.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the improvement candidate calculation unit 202 selects improvement candidates from among trains whose vehicle types satisfy a predetermined condition. Thus, it is possible to exclude from the improvement candidates a train that cannot utilize regenerative electric power, and to exclude from the improvement candidates a train that can utilize regenerative electric power without adjusting the train diagram because it has a battery for storing regenerative electric power.

[0078] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are examples illustrative of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present disclosure in various other forms without departing from the scope of the disclosure.[Reference Signs List]

[0079] 1Station information 2Electrical substation information 3Train diagram information 4Electrical substation power transmission history information 5Vehicle travel record information 6Regenerative electric energy information 100Train diagram change assistance device 101Input unit 102Output unit 103Communication unit 104Processor 105Memory 201Regenerative electric power calculation unit 202Improvement candidate calculation unit 203Train diagram changing unit

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

[0011]Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a train diagram change assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A train diagram change assistance device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that assists changes in train diagram information indicating a train diagram, which is an operation plan of a plurality of trains, and includes an input unit 101, an output unit 102, a communication unit 103, a processor 104, and a memory 105.

[0012] The input unit 101 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various types of information from a user who uses the train diagram change assistance device 100, for example. The output unit 102 may be a display and the like and outputs (e.g., displays) various types of information, for example. The communication unit 103 may be a network card and the like and communicates with an external device (not ...

Claims

1. A train diagram change assistance device for assisting a change in train diagram information indicating an operation plan of a plurality of trains, the train diagram change assistance device comprising: a candidate selection unit configured to use the train diagram information and regenerative electric energy information indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information, and select, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which a difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which a usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard; and a diagram changing unit configured to generate changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information is changed.

2. The train diagram change assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the diagram changing unit is configured to display a screen showing the improvement candidates and change at least one of arrival and departure times of a train included in the improvement candidate specified by a user.

3. The train diagram change assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a regenerative electric power calculation unit configured to calculate the regenerative electric energy information on the basis of travel record information indicating a history of variation in a power consumption amount consumed during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information, and power transmission history information indicating a history of variation in a power transmission amount that is an electric power amount supplied to the train by an electrical substation.

4. The train diagram change assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative electric energy information indicates a history of the regenerative electric energy for each power feeding section of an electrical substation that supplies electric power to each train, and the candidate selection unit is configured to select the improvement candidate for each power feeding section.

5. The train diagram change assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate selection unit is configured to determine that the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard when, in combinations of mutually different trains in which a difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value in a predetermined time range, a value, obtained by multiplying a number of trains having arrival times within the predetermined time range by a predetermined constant, is greater than the regenerative electric energy in the predetermined time range by a predetermined value or more.

6. The train diagram change assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate selection unit is configured to further select, in the time range in which the usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard, a combination of a train having an arrival time within the time range and a train having a departure time between a time, obtained by subtracting a certain value from braking timing of the train, and a time, obtained by adding a certain value to the arrival time of the train, as the improvement candidates.

7. The train diagram change assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate selection unit is configured to select the improvement candidate from among trains, the vehicle types of which satisfy a predetermined condition.

8. A train diagram change assistance method using a train diagram change assistance device for assisting a change in train diagram information indicating an operation plan of a plurality of trains, the method comprising: using the train diagram information and regenerative electric energy information indicating a history of variation in regenerative electric energy used during traveling of each train related to the train diagram information, and selecting, as an improvement candidate, each of combinations of mutually different trains in which a difference between an arrival time and a departure time is equal to or less than a certain value, in a time range in which a usage rate of the regenerative electric energy is below standard; and generating changed diagram information in which at least one of the arrival and departure times of the trains included in the improvement candidates for the train diagram information is changed.

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