Metro Los Teques (Caracas, Venezuela), Power system study

The Metro Los Teques rail link connects Los Teques and Caracas, and is being built as a double track mass rapid transit system. The line is approximately 9.5 km long, with an altitude differential of 180 m between both ends. For long stretches of track, the gradient is 2.7%, and reaches the value of 3.5% for 2.6 km. During peak periods, the line will be operated with 6-car trains travelling at 80 km/h at 4-minute headways. Using FABEL simulations, the various operation phases of a 24 hour timetable were investigated, so that the electrical systems could be optimised and rated accordingly. Particular attention was paid to the train heavy load and its impact on line voltage. Rectifier outage scenarios were also investigated, so the designed system can cope with power failures.