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Analysis of institutional authors

Felez, JesusCorresponding AuthorVaquero-Serrano, Miguel AngelAuthorSanz, Juan De DiosAuthor

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January 16, 2023
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A Robust Model Predictive Control for Virtual Coupling in Train Sets

Publicated to: Actuators. 11 (12): 372- - 2022-12-01 11(12), DOI: 10.3390/act11120372

Authors:

Felez, J; Vaquero-Serrano, MA; Sanz, JD
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Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid, Mech Engn Dept, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain - Author

Abstract

In recent decades, the demand for rail transport has been growing steadily and faces a double problem. Not only must the transport capacity be increased, but also a more flexible service is needed to meet the real demand. Both objectives can be achieved through virtual coupling (VC), which is an evolution of the current moving block systems. Trains under VC can run much closer together, forming what is called a virtually coupled train set (VCTS). In this paper, we propose an approach in which virtual coupling is implemented via model predictive control (MPC). For this purpose, we define a robust controller that can predict, based on a dynamic model of the train, the state of the system at later moments of time and make the appropriate control decisions. A robust MPC (RMPC) is obtained by introducing two uncertain variables. The first uncertain variable is added to the acceleration equation of the dynamic model, while the second uncertain variable is used to define the uncertainty in the train positioning. To test the RMPC for virtual coupling, two simulation cases are performed for a metro line, analysing the influence of both the uncertainties. In all cases, the results obtained show a safer operation of the virtual coupling without significantly affecting the service.
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Keywords

Model predictive controlOptimal controlRailwayRobust mpcVirtual coupling

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Actuators due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position 62/136, thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Mechanical. Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q2 para la agencia Scopus (SJR) en la categoría Control and Systems Engineering.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 2.07. This indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 13, 2025)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 1.94 (source consulted: FECYT Mar 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2026-04-24, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 19
  • Scopus: 26
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-24:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 6 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/86612/

    As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

    • Views: 157
    • Downloads: 157
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (FELEZ MINDAN, LUIS JESUS) and Last Author (SANZ BOBIS, JUAN DE DIOS).

    the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been FELEZ MINDAN, LUIS JESUS.

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    Awards linked to the item

    This work was supported in part by the H2020 ECSEL EU Project Intelligent Secure Trustable Things-InSecTT (www.insectt.eu, (accessed on 7 December 2022)) receiving funding from the ECSEL Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 876038, and in part by the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry-State Research Agency under Grant PCI2020-112126/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The JU receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and Austria, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, Finland, Slovenia, Poland, Netherlands, Turkey. The document reflects only the author's view and Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
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