Communications - Scientific letters of the University of Zilina X:X | DOI: 10.26552/com.C.2026.045
Modelling and Optimization of Hydrogen Fuel Systems in Railway Vehicles Using Data Analysis and Machine Learning
- 1 Independent researcher, Vilnius, Lithuania
- 2 University of Zilina, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Trasport and Handling Machines, Zilina, Slovakia
Hydrogen fuel cell systems offer a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered trains, combining high energy density with the potential for renewable energy integration. A hybrid data-driven modelling and optimization approach of improving the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel systems for rail applications is developed in this research. Using operational and thermodynamic data from simulated and experimental sources, a predictive model of fuel cell performance based on non-linear regression and machine learning methods was developed. Results indicate that the data-driven model predicts system efficiency with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.9%, while the optimization framework reduces fuel consumption by up to 12.4% compared to reference operation strategies. The study proves the value of machine learning in optimizing hydrogen energy systems.
Keywords: hydrogen railway transport, environmental optimization, machine learning, fuel cell system, sustainability
Grants and funding:
This publication was realized with support of Operational Program Integrated Infrastructure 2014 - 2020 of the project: Concept, safety and related industrial research for the replacement of diesel traction by hydrogen fuel cell traction in the railway vehicles series 861 (code ITMS2014+: 313011BVC2), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. This publication was also supported by the Cultural and Educational Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic in the project KEGA 028ZU-4/2026: Integration of advanced modelling methods and simulation computations into university education of future specialists in vehicles' design.
Conflicts of interest:
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Received: May 12, 2026; Accepted: July 7, 2026; Prepublished online: August 20, 2026
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