Electromagnetic Interference Evaluation and Mitigation between Railways and Nearby Power Lines

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Railways carry considerable passenger and cargo traffic in Canada. Railway tracks serve as signalling circuits to ensure safety and regularity in rail traffic, and a signalling failure may result in interruption of the railway transport, damage of cargo and railway infrastructure, injuries or losses of human life. Power lines often share a common corridor with railways. Electromagnetic interference between railways and nearby power lines pose two main concerns: personnel safety and signal-system compatibility. The purpose of this proposed research is to find an effective approach to reduce adverse influence of power lines' interference on railways and achieve their compatible and reliable operation. To date, very limited research has been conducted in this area, and the railway interference is not well covered in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard. By working with Manitoba Hydro, this research will create a quick assessment tool for determination of a minimum separation distance between transmission lines and railways for different types of transmission line structures at the line route planning stage in order to effectively mitigate the interference effect. Manitoba Hydro will implement the research results to guide transmission line design engineers to properly consider interference between power lines and railways. The research findings will be shared with the CSA working group and the railway companies in Canada through Manitoba Hydro in order for them to prepare upcoming new regulatory requirements and make changes of the CSA standard on the overhead line design.