从硬连接到虚拟连挂 我国铁路重载运输迈入智能群组时代

Core Viewpoint - The successful trial of China's self-developed 35,000-ton heavy-duty group train marks the world's first automatic formation driving of heavy freight trains, utilizing wireless signals for coordination without mechanical couplings [1][3][15]. Group 1: Technological Innovation - The heavy-duty railway group system allows for flexible train formations, breaking the limitations of traditional long trains, enabling different models and loading states to form and disband as needed [1][5]. - The system employs "virtual coupling," which fundamentally avoids the issues of uneven force distribution in long trains, enhancing safety and efficiency in freight transport [5][11]. - The innovative control system, developed over three years, operates like a bee colony, with a central control unit managing the real-time status of each train [5][9]. Group 2: Operational Efficiency - The new system reduces the distance between trains from 4 kilometers to approximately 1 kilometer, and the time interval from over 10 minutes to under 5 minutes, allowing for efficient group operations [9][11]. - The technology enables a 50% increase in overall capacity for heavy-duty trains, potentially transforming global railway transport models [16]. Group 3: Industry Impact - This trial signifies a milestone in heavy-duty railway transport, shifting from physical connections to digital collaboration, which is a fundamental change in train signal control [13][15]. - The transition to a model where trains autonomously follow each other based on real-time communication represents a significant evolution in railway operations, with implications for future transport systems [15][16].