Knorr-Bremse has unveiled its driver assistance system LEADER Flow for rail transport that supports train drivers in daily operation with intelligent driving recommendations.
After two years of development, LEADER Flow has been tested for six months on locomotives of a major European freight operator in the German rail network. As the results show, 89% of train drivers with the LEADER Flow app installed controlled their train in a more energy-efficient way than the comparison group without a driver assistance system. On average, the energy savings achieved when driving recommendations were implemented amounted to 10.2% – at the peak even between 20 and 30%.
The market launch of LEADER Flow is initially planned for German freight transport and is to be expanded to other European markets and platforms in the medium term. The long-term goal is to offer the driver assistance system in global rail markets for energy and trip optimization and to establish the innovative solution as the standard for energy-efficient and high-performance rail driving.
The innovative solution optimises ideal speed alongside anticipatory acceleration and braking, enabling rail operators to achieve three crucial objectives in train operations: enhanced energy efficiency, improved economic performance, and a more stable, reliable, and punctual service.
“With LEADER Flow, we are setting new standards: In particular, the further improved quality of the driving recommendations delivers maximum precision and further increased energy optimization in anticipatory driving,” said Martin Ertl, Vice President Portfolio and Innovation Management at Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems.
The LEADER Flow will initially be offered for freight trains and will also be available for passenger trains in the future.
The new system uses a spectrum of data sources to optimise routing in real time. Among other things, comprehensive train models, live traffic data, the electronic timetable as well as geodata and location information (GNSS) are included in the digital route forecast. With its intuitive user interface, LEADER Flow can be operated as a stand-alone solution via app on a tablet or integrated into existing systems in the cockpit.
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