The results of the pantograph–catenary interaction benchmark

TLDR

A voluntary benchmark initiative coordinated by Politecnico di Milano gathered 10 research institutions from 9 countries to evaluate pantograph–catenary interaction simulations. The benchmark aims to assess result dispersion, demonstrate numerical accuracy, and identify optimal modelling approaches for pantograph–catenary interaction. The study defined one static and three dynamic cases for a realistic high‑speed pantograph–catenary system, which were run with ten major simulation codes. All input data are provided and the results are critically discussed, enabling comparison across simulation codes.

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a voluntary benchmark initiative concerning the simulation of pantograph–catenary interaction, which was proposed and coordinated by Politecnico di Milano and participated by 10 research institutions established in 9 different countries across Europe and Asia. The aims of the benchmark are to assess the dispersion of results on the same simulation study cases, to demonstrate the accuracy of numerical methodologies and simulation models and to identify the best suited modelling approaches to study pantograph–catenary interaction. One static and three dynamic simulation cases were defined for a non-existing but realistic high-speed pantograph–catenary couple. These cases were run using 10 of the major simulation codes presently in use for the study of pantograph–catenary interaction, and the results are presented and critically discussed here. All input data required to run the study cases are also provided, allowing the use of this benchmark as a term of comparison for other simulation codes.