A Virtual Coupling operation strategy based on state transition considering special case

Aiming at the operation strategy of high-speed trains for Virtual Coupling, a new method based on state transition is proposed in this paper. This method combines partial speed profile calculation with model predictive control (MPC) considering position and speed information. Firstly, the state transition for Virtual Coupling is defined, and then each state is modeled and solved by the corresponding method. This innovation takes into account the different arrival and departure tracks, turnout position and turnout switching time. This method is tested and verified by constructed four station simulation data. Experiments show that the proposed method successfully realizes the Virtual Coupling operation mode of high-speed trains under special conditions, which makes two trains in the same platoon have a smaller arrival and departure interval, so as to improve the utilization rate of railway.