DESCRIPTION
OPERATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND POWER-CONSUMPTION
ADJUSTMENT METHOD
Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an operation management system that manages operations of trains and to a power-consumption adjustment method.
Background
[0002] In conventional train systems, a plurality of substations are installed along the tracks and trains run on electrical power received from these substations. Typically, electrical power is purchased for each substation under a contract with an electric power company; however, the maximum amount of power that can be consumed is limited by the contract. If the power consumption exceeds the contracted value, the railroad company needs to pay a penalty to the electric power company. Moreover, for example, if the electric power company has its power supply capability reduced because of a disaster or the like, it sometimes requests the railroad company to reduce the power consumption; therefore, the railroad company has to operate trains such that the determined power consumption is not exceeded. Furthermore, in a situation different from normal, such as when train services are disrupted and thus trains are concentrated in a specific section, the power consumption may exceed the contracted value. Therefore, in preparation for when train services are disrupted, the railroad company needs to make a contract for the maximum power consumption to have excess capacity over the power consumption at normal times.

[0003] The technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is such that, when the trains that have stopped in a chain reaction due to the disruption to train services start running again at the same time, a power shortage occurs; therefore, the timing at which each train starts running again, the acceleration force of each train, and the like are adjusted with reference to the intervals between trains so as to reduce the peak power.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No. H09-76911
Summary
Technical Problem
[0005] Typically, the details of the maximum power consumption are, for example, such that the maximum power consumption for 30 minutes at a certain substation is oo kWh. With Patent Literature 1, although it is possible to reduce the peak power at a certain moment, there is a problem in that the amount of power to be consumed during a certain period of time cannot be adjusted. Moreover, simply delaying the departure of the trains may further disrupt the train services, which may instead increase the power consumption.
[0006] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation management system that can operate trains such that a defined amount of power is not exceeded while suppressing disruption to train services.
Solution to Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an operation management system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an actual-value obtaining unit to obtain information on a train operating condition and information on a power consumption in each of substation sections that are obtained by dividing a train running section and are each supplied with power from a corresponding substation among a plurality of substations. Moreover, the operation management system includes a power-consumption estimation unit to, on a basis of information obtained by the actual-value obtaining unit, train service information on a train running in each of the substation sections, and facility information on each of the substation sections, estimate an amount of power consumed in each of the substation sections during a defined period of time and obtain an estimated power consumption. Furthermore, the operation management system includes a power-consumption determination unit to determine whether an estimated power consumption in each of the substation sections exceeds a contracted amount of power that is a defined amount of power that is capable of being consumed in each of the substation sections. Moreover, the operation management system includes a running-pattern adjustment unit to, when there is a first substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power in a determination made by the power-consumption determination unit, adjust, for a train running in the first substation section, a running pattern in the first substation section and a running pattern in a second substation section, which is a substation section in which a train running in the first substation section runs next and which is adjacent to the first substation section. Furthermore, the operation

management system includes a running-command output unit to output, to a target train running in the first substation section, a running command that includes an adjusted running pattern.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008] According to the present invention, an effect is obtained where trains can be operated such that the defined amount of power is not exceeded while suppressing disruption to train services.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a train system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimated power consumption in a substation section A obtained by an operation management system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimated power consumption in a substation section B obtained by the operation management system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the operation management system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adjusting the power consumption performed by the operation management system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adjusting the running pattern performed by a running-pattern adjustment unit of the operation management system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image of a process of selecting a train whose running pattern is to be adjusted and a process of adjusting the running pattern that are performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit of the operation management system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of a running command to be output from a running-command output unit to a train according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example when a power-consumption estimation unit, a power-consumption determination unit, and a running-pattern adjustment unit in the operation management system according to the first embodiment are configured from a CPU and a memory.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example when the power-consumption estimation unit, the power-consumption determination unit, and the running-pattern adjustment unit of the operation management system according to the first embodiment are configured from dedicated hardware.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adjusting the running patterns performed by a running-pattern adjustment unit of an operation management system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of estimating the power consumption and determining a train whose running pattern is to be adjusted performed by a power-consumption estimation unit of the operation management system according to the second embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[0010] An operation management system and a power-consumption adjustment method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained

below in detail with reference to the drawings. This invention is not limited to the embodiments. [0011] First Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a train system 40 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The train system 40 includes an operation management system 10 that manages operations of trains 20-1 to 20-9; the trains 20-1 to 20-9; a substation 30A that supplies power to the trains 20-3 to 20-7 in a substation section A; and a substation 30B that supplies power to the trains 20-1, 20-2, 20-8, and 20-9 in a substation section B. The trains 20-1 to 20-6 run toward the right in FIG. 1 and the trains 20-7 to 20-9 run toward the left in FIG. 1.
[0012] The operation management system 10 has a wireless connection to the trains 20-1 to 20-9. Moreover, the operation management system 10 has a wireless or wired connection to the substations 30A and 30B. In the example in FIG. 1, the operation management system 10 has a wireless connection to the substations 30A and 30B. In the train system 40, the running section of the trains 20-1 to 20-9 is divided into the substation sections A and B, which are sections within which power is supplied from the substations 30A and 30B, respectively. Although only two substation sections are illustrated in FIG. 1, the train system 40 actually includes three or more substation sections.
[0013] The railroad company that manages the train system 40 has a contracted amount of power determined according to the contract with an electric power company. The contracted amount of power represents the maximum amount of power that each of the substations 30A and 30B can consume. As an example, the amount of power contracted

for the substation 30A is 300 kWh/30 min, i.e., the amount of power that can be consumed within 30 minutes is 300 kWh. Moreover, the amount of power contracted for the substation 30B is 400 kWh/30 min, i.e., the amount of power that can be consumed within 30 minutes is 400 kWh.
[0014] The operation management system 10 obtains information on the train operating conditions including information on the train ID (IDentification), location, speed, vehicle occupancy, and the like from each of the trains 20-1 to 20-9. Moreover, the operation management system 10 obtains information on the power consumption in each substation from the substations 30A and 30B. The operation management system 10 estimates the amount of power to be consumed in each of the substation sections A and B during the period of time defined by the contracted amount of power or within 30 minutes in the example described above. The power consumption estimated by the operation management system 10 is defined as the estimated power consumption.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimated power consumption in the substation section A obtained by the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment. When the actual power that is the actual value of the power consumption from 9:00 to the current time of 9:12 is 170 kWh, then the operation management system 10 estimates that the estimated power consumption during a period from 9:00 to 9:30 is 320 kWh. In the substation section A, the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted power value.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimated power consumption in the substation section B obtained by the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment. When the actual power that is the

actual value of the power consumption from 9:00 to the current time of 9:12 is 230 kWh, then the operation management system 10 estimates that the estimated power consumption during a period from 9:00 to 9:30 is 350 kWh. In the substation section B, the estimated power consumption does not exceed the contracted power value and thus the substation section B has excess capacity.
[0017] When the operation management system 10 estimates that the estimated power consumption in the substation section A exceeds the contracted amount of power, the operation management system 10 adjusts the running patterns in the substation section A and the substation section B for any or all of the trains 20-3 to 20-6 running in the substation section A. Specifically, with regard to the speed of any or all of the trains 20-3 to 20-6 running in the substation section A, the operation management system 10 reduces the speed in the substation section A to be lower than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment and increases the speed in the substation section B to be higher than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment. In other words, the operation management system 10 performs a control such that the estimated power consumption is lower than or equal to the contracted amount of power even if the train services of the trains 20-3 to 20-6 are delayed in the substation section A and such that the delay of the train services of the trains 20-3 to 20-6 is made up for in the substation section B. Therefore, the operation management system 10 can suppress disruption to train services of the trains 20-3 to 20-6 while not exceeding the contracted amount of power in each substation section.
[0018] The operation management system 10 actually performs a similar process also on the train 20-7 running

in the substation section A. The operation management system 10 performs a process of reducing the speed in the substation section A to be lower than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment and increasing the speed in the substation section (not illustrated in FIG. 1) adjacent to the left side of the substation section A to be higher than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment.
[0019] The configuration of the operation management system 10 will be explained here. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment. The operation management system 10 includes an actual-value obtaining unit 1, a train-service-information storage unit 2, a facility-information storage unit 3, a power-consumption estimation unit 4, a power-consumption determination unit 5, a running-pattern adjustment unit 6, and a running-command output unit 7. The trains 20-1 to 20-9 illustrated in FIG. 1 are referred to as trains 20 when they are not distinguished from each other. The substations 30A and 30B illustrated in FIG. 1 are referred to as substations 30 when they are not distinguished from each other.
[0020] The actual-value obtaining unit 1 obtains, from the trains 20, information on the train operating conditions including information on the train ID, location, speed, vehicle occupancy, and the like of the trains 20. Moreover, the actual-value obtaining unit 1 obtains, from the substations 30, information on the power consumption that is the amount of power consumed in each substation section. The information on the train operating conditions and the information on the power consumption obtained by the actual-value obtaining unit 1 are collectively referred

to as actual-value information.
[0021] The train-service-information storage unit 2 stores information on the scheduled departure/arrival times, time of passage, platform used, and the like of the trains 20 at each station (not illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4) along the tracks on which the trains 20 run. Moreover, the train-service-information storage unit 2 stores specific information on the train type, train length, scheduled departure/arrival times at each station, and the like for each train 20. Furthermore, the train-service-information storage unit 2 stores temporary speed limit information, which is speed limit information that is temporarily set during maintenance work or the like. These pieces of information stored in the train-service-information storage unit 2 are collectively referred to as train-service information.
[0022] The facility-information storage unit 3 stores information on the layout of the tracks, information on the electric substation facility, information on the signal facility, information on the train performance, train control information, and the like. Examples of the information on the layout of the tracks include the route of the tracks, locations and magnitudes of gradients, locations and magnitudes of curves, and locations of stations. Examples of the information on the electrical substation facility include information on the locations of the substations 30, characteristics of the substations 30, routes of the overhead lines, and contracted power value defined in a contract between each substation 30 and the electric power company. Examples of the information on the signal facility include the type of signal systems installed along the tracks, locations and configurations of the signals corresponding to the respective signal systems,

speed limits, and control information. Examples of the type of signal system include an ATS (Automatic Train Stop), ATC (Automatic Train Control), and CBTC (Communications Based Train Control). Examples of the information on the train performance include the acceleration performance, brake performance, weight, and motor characteristics, such as utilization efficiency indicating how much power from the overhead lines can be used and regeneration efficiency indicating how much of the braking force can be regenerated. The train control information is, for example, a basic control guidance that defines how the trains run depending on the signal status, speed limits, gradients of the tracks, and the like. In the case of an ATO (Automatic Train Operation) system, these pieces of information are set as parameters at each station. These pieces of information stored in the facility-information storage unit 3 are collectively referred to as facility information. [0023] The power-consumption estimation unit 4 simulates the running of each train 20 on the basis of the actual-value information obtained by the actual-value obtaining unit 1, the train-service information stored in the train-service-information storage unit 2, and the facility information stored in the facility-information storage unit 3; estimates the amount of power consumed in each substation section during the period of time defined by the contracted amount of power in each substation section; and obtains the estimated power consumption that is the amount of power estimated to be consumed during the period of time defined by the contracted amount of power in each substation section. The power-consumption estimation unit 4 simulates the running of a train whose running pattern has been changed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6, which will be described later, by using the running pattern

changed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6, and then it obtains the estimated power consumption during the period of time defined by the contracted amount of power in each substation section.
[0024] The power-consumption determination unit 5 determines, for each substation 30, whether the estimated power consumption in each substation section exceeds the contracted amount of power, which is the defined amount of power that can be consumed in each substation section. [0025] As a result of the determination made by the power-consumption determination unit 5, if there is a substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts, for the train 20 running in the corresponding substation section, the running patterns in a first substation section that is the corresponding substation section and in a second substation section, which is the substation section in which the train running in the first substation section runs next and is adjacent to the first substation section. The method of adjusting the running pattern performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 will be explained in detail later. [0026] The running-command output unit 7 transmits, to the target train 20 whose running pattern has been adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6, a running command including the adjusted running pattern.
[0027] Next, an explanation will be given of a process performed by the operation management system 10 for adjusting the power consumption such that it does not exceed the contracted amount of power in each substation section while suppressing disruption to train services of the trains 20. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adjusting the power consumption performed by the

operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment.
[0028] The actual-value obtaining unit 1 of the operation management system 10 first obtains, as the actual-value information, information on the train operating conditions from the trains 20 and information on the power consumption from the substations 30 (Step SI). [0029] The power-consumption estimation unit 4 estimates, for each substation section, the power consumption during the period of time based on the contracted amount of power in each substation section by using the actual-value information obtained by the actual-value obtaining unit 1, the train-service information stored in the train-service-information storage unit 2, and the facility information stored in the facility-information storage unit 3 (Step S2). Specifically, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 obtains the estimated power consumption during the period of time based on the contracted amount of power in each substation section.
[0030] In the example in FIG. 2, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 has already obtained, from the substation 30A, information on the actual power consumption of 170 kWh, which is the actual value for 12 minutes among the period of 30 minutes based on the contracted amount of power. Thus, on the basis of the actual-value information, train-service information, and facility information, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 estimates the power consumption for the remaining 18 minutes in accordance with the tracks on which each of the trains 20-3 to 20-7 in the substation section A runs, the stations at which each of the trains 20-3 to 20-7 in the substation section A stops, the gradients that each of the trains 20-3 to 20-7 in the substation section A passes, and the like. The power-

consumption estimation unit 4 estimates that 150 kWh is consumed in the substation section A during the 18 minutes from the current time. The power-consumption estimation unit 4 sums the actual power consumption of 170 kWh and the estimated 150 kWh to obtain the estimated power consumption of 320 kWh.
[0031] Moreover, in the example in FIG. 3, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 has already obtained, from the substation 30B, information on the actual power consumption of 230 kWh, which is the actual value for 12 minutes among the period of 30 minutes based on the contracted amount of power. Thus, on the basis of the actual-value information, train-service information, and facility information, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 estimates the power consumption for the remaining 18 minutes in accordance with the tracks on which each of the trains 20-1, 20-2, 20-8, and 20-9 in the substation section B runs, the stations at which each of the trains 20-1, 20-2, 20-8, and 20-9 in the substation section B stops, the gradients that each of the trains 20-1, 20-2, 20-8, and 20-9 in the substation section B passes, and the like. The power-consumption estimation unit 4 estimates that 120 kWh is consumed in the substation section B during the 18 minutes from the current time. The power-consumption estimation unit 4 sums the actual power consumption of 230 kWh and the estimated 120 kWh to obtain the estimated power consumption of 350 kWh.
[0032] The power-consumption determination unit 5 determines whether the estimated power consumption in each substation section estimated by the power-consumption estimation unit 4 exceeds the contracted amount of power in a corresponding substation section (Step S3). When the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount

of power in any of the substation sections, the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines Yes at Step S3. When there is no substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines No at Step S3. In the case of the examples in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the estimated power consumption of 350 kWh is less than the contracted amount of power of 400 kWh in the substation section B; however, the estimated power consumption of 320 kWh is greater than the contracted amount of power of 300 kWh in the substation section A. Therefore, the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines that the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power (Yes at Step S3).
[0033] When the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines that the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power (Yes at Step S3), the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts, for the train 20 that is running in the substation section for which it is determined that the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, the running pattern in the substation section in which the train 20 is running and the running pattern in the substation section in which the train 20 runs next (Step S4).
[0034] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adjusting the running pattern performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 of the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment. The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 first selects the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted from among the trains 20 running in the substation section for which it is determined that the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power (Step Sll).

[0035] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image of a process of selecting the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted and a process of adjusting the running pattern that are performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 of the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the trains 20-3 to 20-6 are extracted from FIG. 1; however, in order to facilitate the following explanation, the intervals between the respective trains 20-3 to 20-6 are changed from those in FIG. 1. Moreover, in FIG. 7, the stations, which are not illustrated in FIG. 1, are illustrated. In the running-pattern adjustment unit 6, the train 20-7, which runs in the direction opposite to the trains 20-3 to 20-6 illustrated in FIG. 1, is actually also a train whose running pattern is to be adjusted. However, in the present embodiment, only the trains 20-3 to 20-6 have running patterns that are to be adjusted in order to simplify the explanation. In FIG. 7, the substation section A is a no-margin section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, and the substation section B is an adjacent section with excess capacity in which the estimated power consumption does not exceed the contracted amount of power. In FIG. 7, the estimated portion before the adjustment, which is indicated by the dashed line and is on the right side of the actual values indicated by the solid line, is a target for adjustment of the running pattern performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6. In FIG. 7, the dotted-line portion is the running pattern adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6.
[0036] The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 can adjust the running patterns of all the trains 20-3 to 20-6 in the substation section A in such a manner that the speeds in

the substation section A are all reduced by the same value from the speeds specified in the running patterns before the adjustment. For example, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 can reduce the maximum speeds of all the trains 20-3 to 20-6 uniformly by 3 km/h. However, the train 20 (not illustrated in FIG. 7(a)) running on the left side of the train 20-6 in FIG. 7(a) may be affected by the disruption to train services. In FIG. 7, the substation section A is the first substation section and the substation section B is the second substation section. [0037] Thus, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6, for example, selects the train 20 that is the most distant from the following train, which is the train running behind the train 20, as the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted (Step Sll). This is because if the distance from the following train is large, even if the target train 20 runs slowly, it does not affect the running pattern of the following train. In the example in FIG. 7(a), the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20-5, which is the most distant from the following train, i.e., the train 20-6. The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 may select the train 20 that has a large distant from the following train with consideration given to the fact that the train 20-6 will stop at the station as illustrated in FIG. 7(a). As illustrated in FIG. 7(b), the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20-5 in such a manner that the maximum speed of the train 20-5 in the substation section A is reduced by AVI from the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment and the maximum speed in the substation section B is increased from the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment (Step S12). The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 can reduce the power

consumption in the substation section A by reducing the speed of the train 20-5 in the substation section A. The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern such that the train 20-5 performs a catch-up operation in the substation section B.
[0038] Alternatively, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6, for example, selects the train 20 that is the least distant from the preceding train, which is the train running ahead of the train 20, as the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted (Step Sll). This is because even if the train 20 that has a small distance from the preceding train runs with its speed unchanged, the train 20 may catch up with the preceding train and have to reduce its speed; therefore, the train 20 can avoid coming too close to the preceding train by reducing its speed in advance. Moreover, it is possible to select, on the basis of the running estimation result in addition to the current interval from the preceding train, the train 20 that is slowing down due to it approaching the preceding train too closely. In the example in FIG. 7(a), the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20-4, which is the least distant from the train 20-3 that is the preceding train. As illustrated in FIG. 7(c), the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20-4 in such a manner that the maximum speed of the train 20-4 in the substation section A is reduced by AV2 from the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment and the maximum speed in the substation section B is increased from the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment (Step S12). The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 can reduce the power consumption in the substation section A by reducing the speed of the train 20-4 in the substation section A. The

running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern such that the train 20-5 performs a catch-up operation in the substation section B.
[0039] In such a manner, when there are a plurality of trains 20 running in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20 that is the most distant from the following train. Alternatively, when there are a plurality of trains 20 running in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20 that is the least distant from the preceding train. When there is only one train 20 running in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern of the one train 20 running in the first substation section.
[0040] In the example in FIG. 7(b), the speed of the train 20-5 in the substation section B increases. In the example in FIG. 7(c), the speed of the train 20-4 in the substation section B increases. Consequently, the power consumption in the substation section B increases. Thus, with reference back to the flowchart in FIG. 5, in the operation management system 10, after the running pattern of the train 20 is adjusted at Step S4, the procedure returns to the process at Step S2. The operation management system 10 then repeats the process of estimating the power consumption in each substation section by using the power-consumption estimation unit 4 (Step S2) and determining whether the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power in each substation section by using the power-consumption determination unit 5 (Step S3) .
[0041] When the operation management system 10 adjusts the running pattern of the train 20 that is the most

distant from the following train, as a result of the adjustment of the running pattern of the train 20-5, the interval between the train 20-4 and the train 20-5 may become larger than the interval between the train 20-5 and the train 20-6. Thus, with the operation management system 10, when the running pattern of the train 20 that is the most distant from the following train is adjusted, it is expected that the running patterns of the train 20-5 and the train 20-4 may be adjusted alternately. With the operation management system 10, when the running pattern of the train 20 that is the least distant from the preceding train is adjusted, in a similar manner, it is expected that the running patterns of the train 20-5 and the train 20-4 may be adjusted alternately.
[0042] In such a manner, the operation management system 10 makes adjustments in small increments to the running pattern of the train 20 running in the substation section A, which is a no-margin section. Consequently, the operation management system 10 can reduce the power consumption in the substation section A while suppressing disruption to train services, which is in contrast to the case of uniformly adjusting the running patterns of all of the trains 20 running in the substation section A.
[0043] In the operation management system 10, the processes from Step S2 to Step S4 are repeated. When the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines that the estimated power consumption does not exceed the contracted amount of power (No at Step S3), the running-command output unit 7 checks whether adjustment of a running pattern performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 has occurred (Step S5). When there is no adjustment of a running pattern performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 (No at Step S5), the running-command output unit 7

ends the process. When there is adjustment of a running pattern performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6
(Yes at Step S5), the running-command output unit 7 outputs, to the train 20 whose running pattern has been adjusted, a running command including the adjusted running pattern
(Step S6). The process at Step S5 may be performed by the power-consumption determination unit 5.
[0044] The train 20 that has received the running command runs in accordance with the running pattern included in the running command. The running pattern included in the running command to be output from the running-command output unit 7 to the train 20 may be graphical information such as the running patterns illustrated in FIG. 7(b) and FIG. 7(c) or textual information, for example, indicating that the maximum speed is oo km/h within the section from the train location C to the train location D, as illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of a running command to be output from the running-command output unit 7 to the train 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 indicates, for the operator of the train 20 whose running pattern has been adjusted, the maximum speed in each section specified according to the train locations. The sections specified according to the train locations in FIG. 8 are sections that are smaller than the substation sections.
[0045] In such a manner, in the operation management system 10, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 further obtains the estimated power consumption in each substation section by using the running pattern adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 and the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines whether the estimated power consumption in each substation section is within the range of the contracted amount of power. The running-pattern

adjustment unit 6 then performs a process of adjusting the running patterns of the trains 20 until there is no substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power in the determination made by the power-consumption determination unit 5.
[0046] Next, the hardware configuration of the operation management system 10 will be explained. In the operation management system 10, the actual-value obtaining unit 1 is implemented by an interface circuit that performs communication between the trains 20 and the substations 30. The train-service-information storage unit 2 and the facility-information storage unit 3 are implemented by memories. The running-command output unit 7 is implemented by an interface circuit that performs communication with the trains 20. The power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 are implemented by processing circuitry. In other words, the operation management system 10 includes processing circuitry for estimating the power consumption in each substation section, determining whether the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, and, when the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, adjusting the running patterns of the trains 20. The processing circuitry may be dedicated hardware or a memory and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes programs stored in the memory.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example when the power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 in the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment are configured from a CPU and a memory. When the processing circuitry is configured

from a CPU 91 and a memory 92, the functions of the power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program and is stored in the memory 92. In the processing circuitry, the CPU 91 reads and executes programs stored in the memory 92 to implement each function. Specifically, the operation management system 10 includes the memory 92 for storing programs that, when the power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 are executed by the processing circuitry, accordingly cause the processing circuitry to execute a step of estimating the power consumption in each substation section; a step of determining whether the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power; and a step of adjusting the running pattern of the train 20 when the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power. In other words, these programs cause a computer to execute the procedures and methods performed in the operation management system 10. The CPU 91 may be a processing device, a computation device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like. Moreover, examples of the memory 92 include a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and an EEPROM (Electrically EPROM), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disc, a compact disc, a mini disc, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The memory in which the train-service-information storage unit 2 and the facility-information storage unit 3 are implemented may be

the same as the memory 92.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example when the power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 of the operation management system 10 according to the first embodiment are configured from dedicated hardware. When the processing circuitry is dedicated hardware, examples of processing circuitry 93 illustrated in FIG. 10 include a single circuit, a complex circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a combination thereof. The functions of the power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 may be implemented separately by the processing circuitry 93 or all of the functions may be implemented collectively by the processing circuitry 93.
[0049] Some of the functions of the power-consumption estimation unit 4, the power-consumption determination unit 5, and the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 may be implemented by dedicated hardware and the other functions may be implemented by software or firmware. In such a manner, the processing circuitry can implement each function described above as dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.
[0050] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation management system 10 estimates the power consumption in each substation section, and, when there is the first substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power, it adjusts, for the train running in the first substation section, the running patterns in the first

substation section and in the second substation section, which is the substation section in which the train 20 running in the first substation section runs next and is adjacent to the first substation section. Specifically, the operation management system 10 adjusts the running pattern of the train running in the first substation section in such a manner that the speed in the first substation section is reduced such that it is lower than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment and the speed in the second substation section is increased such that it is higher than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment. Thus, even if the operation of the train 20 is delayed in the first substation section, the operation management system 10 can make up for the delay in the second substation section. Therefore, the trains can be operated such that the defined amount of power is not exceeded while suppressing disruption to train services. [0051] In the operation management system 10, if the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power in the second substation section due to the reduction of the estimated power consumption to a value lower than or equal to the contracted amount of power in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running pattern in a third substation section, which is the substation section in which the train 20 running in the second substation section runs next and is adjacent to the second substation section. The third substation section, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1, is the substation section that is adjacent to the right side of the substation section B. In such a manner, if the estimated power consumption cannot fall within the contracted amount of power by adjusting the running pattern

in only two substation sections, the operation management system 10 can set three or more substation sections as a target for adjustment of the running pattern and perform a process of adjusting the running pattern.
[0052] The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 may adjust the running pattern of a train running in a fourth substation section, which is the substation section in which the train runs before running in the first substation section and is adjacent to the first substation section, in such a manner that the speed in the fourth substation section is increased such that it is higher than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment and the speed in the first substation section is reduced such that it is lower than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment. The fourth substation section, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1, is the substation section that is adjacent to the left side of the substation section A. The operation management system 10 may increase the speed to be higher than the speed specified in the running pattern before the adjustment in the substation section that is before the substation section in which the estimated power consumption does not exceed the contracted amount of power at this point in time but will in the future exceed the contracted amount of power.
[0053] Second Embodiment.
In a second embodiment, in the operation management system 10, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running patterns of a plurality of trains 20 and the power-consumption estimation unit 4 determines the train 20 that can cause the greatest reduction in the power consumption. The portions different from those in the first embodiment will be explained here.

[0054] In the second embodiment, the configurations of the operation management system 10 and the train system 40 are similar to those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 4). Moreover, in the second embodiment, the flowchart illustrating the process of adjusting the power consumption performed by the operation management system 10 is similar to that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5) except for the details of the processes at Step S2 and Step S4.
[0055] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adjusting the running patterns performed by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 of the operation management system 10 according to the second embodiment. When the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines that the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power (Yes at Step S3), the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 uniformly adjusts the running patterns of the trains 20 that are running in the substation section for which the power-consumption determination unit 5 determines that the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power (Step S21). The running-pattern adjustment unit 6 adjusts the running patterns of all the trains 20-3 to 20-6 in the substation section A in such a manner that the maximum speeds of all the trains 20-3 to 20-6 are reduced by the same value, for example, uniformly by 3 km/h.
[0056] However, if the maximum speeds of the trains 20 are uniformly reduced by 3 km/h, the train 20 (not illustrated in FIG. 7(a)) running on the left side of the train 20-6 in FIG. 7(a) may be affected by the disruption to train services. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 obtains the estimated power consumption when the running patterns of the trains 20-3 to 20-6 are adjusted and uses the adjusted

running pattern of the train 20 that can cause the greatest reduction in the power consumption.
[0057] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of estimating the power consumption and determining the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted performed by the power-consumption estimation unit 4 of the operation management system 10 according to the second embodiment. The power-consumption estimation unit 4 performs, on each train 20, a process of obtaining the estimated power consumption in each substation section when the running pattern of one train 20 adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 is adjusted (Step S31). In other words, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 performs four types of processes, each process adjusting the running pattern of one of the trains 20-3 to 20-6.
[0058] The power-consumption estimation unit 4 uses, from among four adjusted running patterns of the trains 20-
3 to 20-6, the adjusted running pattern of the train 20 that can cause the greatest reduction in the power consumption (Step S32). The power-consumption estimation unit 4 then discards the adjusted running patterns of the other trains (Step S33). For example, if the greatest reduction in the power consumption is obtained by adjusting the running pattern of the train 20-4, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 adjusts the running pattern of only the train 20-4 and estimates the power consumption in each substation section with the running patterns of the other trains 20-3, 20-5, and 20-6 not adjusted. The power-consumption estimation unit 4 then outputs the results to the power-consumption determination unit 5. The unused running patterns of the trains 20-3, 20-5, and 20-6 are not necessary; therefore, the power-consumption estimation unit
4 may discard these running patterns without keeping a

record of these running patterns.
[0059] In the first embodiment, the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 selects the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted (Step Sll); however, when the number of the trains 20 in the substation section is large, it is expected that the process becomes complicated and thus the load increases. Thus, in the second embodiment, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 performs a process of determining the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted. Although the computational complexity of the process of estimating the power consumption increases in the power-consumption estimation unit 4 compared with the first embodiment, it is possible to determine the case in which the greatest reduction in the power consumption can be caused.
[0060] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power-consumption estimation unit 4 of the operation management system 10 performs the process of determining the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted. In such a case also, an effect similar to that in the first embodiment can be obtained. When the number of the trains 20 in the substation section is large, the operation management system 10 can reduce the load of the process of selecting the train 20 whose running pattern is to be adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit 6 while selecting the adjustment of the running pattern of the train 20 that can cause the greatest reduction in the power consumption.
[0061] The configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are examples of the content of the present invention, and they can be combined with other publicly known technologies and the configurations can be changed, for example, by omitting a part thereof without departing

from the scope of the present invention.
Reference Signs List
[0062] 1 actual-value obtaining unit, 2 train-service-information storage unit, 3 facility-information storage unit, 4 power-consumption estimation unit, 5 power-consumption determination unit, 6 running-pattern adjustment unit, 7 running-command output unit, 10 operation management system, 20, 20-1 to 20-9 train, 30, 30A, 30B substation, 40 train system.

WE CLAIM:
1. An operation management system comprising:
an actual-value obtaining unit to obtain information on a train operating condition and information on a power consumption in each of substation sections that are obtained by dividing a train running section and are each supplied with power from a corresponding substation among a plurality of substations;
a power-consumption estimation unit to, on a basis of information obtained by the actual-value obtaining unit, train service information on a train running in each of the substation sections, and facility information on each of the substation sections, estimate an amount of power consumed in each of the substation sections during a defined period of time and obtain an estimated power consumption;
a power-consumption determination unit to determine whether an estimated power consumption in each of the substation sections exceeds a contracted amount of power that is a defined amount of power that is capable of being consumed in each of the substation sections;
a running-pattern adjustment unit to, when there is a first substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power in a determination made by the power-consumption determination unit, adjust, for a train running in the first substation section, a running pattern in the first substation section and a running pattern in a second substation section, which is a substation section in which a train running in the first substation section runs next and which is adjacent to the first substation section; and
a running-command output unit to output, to a target train running in the first substation section, a running

command that includes an adjusted running pattern.
2. The operation management system according to claim 1, wherein the running-pattern adjustment unit adjusts a running pattern of a train running in the first substation section in such a manner that a speed in the first substation section is reduced from a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment and a speed in the second substation section is increased from a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment.
3. The operation management system according to claim 2, wherein, when there are a plurality of trains running in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit adjusts a running pattern of a train that is most distant from a following train running behind the train.
4. The operation management system according to claim 2, wherein, when there are a plurality of trains running in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit adjusts a running pattern of a train that is least distant from a preceding train running ahead of the train.
5. The operation management system according to claim 2, wherein, when there are a plurality of trains running in the first substation section, the running-pattern adjustment unit reduces, for each of the trains, a speed in the first substation section by an identical value from a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment.
6. The operation management system according to claim 5,

wherein the power-consumption estimation unit performs, for each of the trains, a process of obtaining an estimated power consumption in each of the substation sections in a case when a running pattern of a train adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit is adjusted, uses an adjusted running pattern of a train that is capable of causing a greatest reduction in power consumption, and discards an adjusted running pattern of another train.
7. The operation management system according to any one
of claim 1 to 6, wherein
the power-consumption estimation unit further obtains an estimated power consumption in each of the substation sections by using a running pattern adjusted by the running-pattern adjustment unit,
the power-consumption determination unit determines whether the estimated power consumption in each of the substation sections is within a range of a contracted amount of power, and
the running-pattern adjustment unit performs a process of adjusting a running pattern of a train until there is no substation section in which an estimated power consumption exceeds a contracted amount of power in a determination made by the power-consumption determination unit.
8. The operation management system according to claim 7,
wherein, when an estimated power consumption exceeds a
contracted amount of power in the second substation section
due to a reduction of an estimated power consumption to a
value lower than or equal to a contracted amount of power
in the first substation section, the running-pattern
adjustment unit adjusts a running pattern in a third
substation section, which is a substation section in which

a train running in the second substation section runs next and which is adjacent to the second substation section.
9. The operation management system according to claim 7, wherein the running-pattern adjustment unit adjusts a running pattern of a train running in a fourth substation section, which is a substation section in which a train runs before running in the first substation section and which is adjacent to the first substation section, in such a manner that a speed in the fourth substation section is increased to be higher than a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment and a speed in the first substation section is reduced to be lower than a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment.
10. A power-consumption adjustment method performed by an operation management system that manages an operation of a train, the power-consumption adjustment method comprising:
an obtaining step of an actual-value obtaining unit obtaining information on a train operating condition and information on a power consumption in each of substation sections that are obtained by dividing a train running section and are each supplied with power from a corresponding substation among a plurality of substations;
an estimating step of a power-consumption estimation unit estimating, on a basis of information obtained at the obtaining step, train service information on a train running in each of the substation sections, and facility information on each of the substation sections, an amount of power consumed in each of the substation sections during a defined period of time and obtaining an estimated power consumption;
a determining step of a power-consumption

determination unit determining whether an estimated power consumption in each of the substation sections exceeds a contracted amount of power that is defined in each of the substation sections;
an adjusting step of a running-pattern adjustment unit, when there is a first substation section in which the estimated power consumption exceeds the contracted amount of power in a determination made at the determining step, adjusting, for a train running in the first substation section, a running pattern in the first substation section and a running pattern in a second substation section, which is a substation section in which a train running in the first substation section runs next and which is adjacent to the first substation section; and
an outputting step of a running-command output unit outputting, to a target train running in the first substation section, a running command that includes an adjusted running pattern.
11. The power-consumption adjustment method according to claim 10, wherein the adjusting step includes adjusting, by the running-pattern adjustment unit, a running pattern of a train running in the first substation section in such a manner that a speed in the first substation section is reduced to be lower than a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment and a speed in the second substation section is increased to be higher than a speed specified in a running pattern before adjustment.