Current Trends and Future Prospects in Railway Traction Systems: A Comprehensive Overview

In the realm of electrified railways, Traction Power Systems (TPSs) are of paramount importance. The evolution from traditional to innovative TPS architectures is driven not merely by a quest for enhanced efficiency and resilience in rail systems but is also compelled by the pressing objective of achieving carbon neutrality. After delineating the power supply configurations of conventional AC and DC systems, this study critiques the current TPSs, noting issues such as limited supply flexibility and suboptimal energy efficiency. It then thoroughly examines advanced power supply structures designed for future electrified railways that cater to the demands of extended range, reduced carbon footprint, heightened efficiency, reliability, and superior power quality. The paper also explores the future utility of diverse traction methodologies through the lens of technical and economic viability. Subsequently, it introduces recent advances in hybrid-system electrified railways and catenary-free traction power technologies