Comparison of PI and fuzzy logic based sliding mode locomotive creep controls with change of rail-wheel contact conditions

Abstract

This paper presents locomotive traction controllers based on proportional-integral and sliding mode control with a fuzzy logic creep reference generator; and compares their performance based on tractive efforts under various operation speeds. The effect of change of wheel-rail friction conditions under different controllers is also investigated. In particular, a sliding mode traction controller based on a fuzzy logic creep reference generator is developed to tackle non-linearity and uncertainty due to the contact conditions and operation speeds. It is shown that at high-speed operation, the fuzzy logic based sliding mode controller can achieve higher tractive force with lower creep values.

Keywords:

• fuzzy logic
• sliding mode control
• traction control
• locomotive

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support of the Centre for Railway Engineering, Central Queensland University and the many industry partners that have contributed to this project, in particular staff from RailCorp, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and Brookfield Rail.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the CRC for Rail Innovation (established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres program) for the funding of this research [Project No. R3.119] “Locomotive Adhesion”.