What is the difference between slip/slide control and creep control?
Both are electronic methods for preventing the complete loss of adhesion in adverse conditions. Slip/slide control refers to a system of comparing the wheel speed of a motored wheelset or bogie with the train speed. This is usually derived from a speed measurement on a trailer axle. A problem with this method is accuracy since wheel diameters of differing bogie will vary. By using many wheelsets, or by computationally estimating wheel diameters, the accuracy can be improved so that a deviation in speed of a powered axle is constrained by a reduction in the tractive effort delivered through it. This type of slip/slide control system is usually employed on EMUs and LRVs and gets vehicles through areas of poor adhesion. For high power locomotives, in particular heavy laden freight, a system which optimises the available adhesion can produce better results. These control the extent of wheelspin to maintain the locomotive operating at the peak of the adhesion characteristic continually. Thi
