LQR Control Applied to a Novel Track Switch Actuator

Existing railway track switches use open-loop actuation to enable trains to take different routes. A new type of railway track switch called REPOINT with a different electromechanical design to conventional track switches has been developed at Loughborough University that requires closed-loop control in order to perform its track switching function. This abstract proposes the use of a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller to achieve track switch position control applied to the REPOINT switch. The results showed that the LQR controller enables successful switching of this novel railway track switch and satisfies the control requirements of a REPOINT track switch.