Weighted Average Speed Formula:
Definition: This calculator computes the weighted average speed of multiple trains moving at different speeds, taking into account the number of trains at each speed.
Purpose: It helps railway operators and traffic controllers understand the overall speed distribution of trains on a track.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates a speed average where each speed's contribution is weighted by how many trains are moving at that speed.
Details: This calculation helps in traffic management, scheduling, and identifying speed patterns across different train categories.
Tips: Enter the number of trains and their corresponding speeds for up to four different speed categories. The ±5% indicates the speed tolerance.
Q1: Why use weighted average instead of simple average?
A: Weighted average accounts for the different quantities of trains at each speed, giving a more accurate representation of the overall traffic speed.
Q2: What does the ±5% mean for speed values?
A: It indicates that the actual speeds may vary within 5% of the entered values due to operational factors.
Q3: Can I use this for more than four speed categories?
A: This calculator handles up to four categories. For more categories, you would need to extend the formula.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The accuracy depends on the precision of your input data. The ±5% speed tolerance should be considered in interpretation.
Q5: What if I have zero trains in some categories?
A: Simply enter 0 for the number of trains in those categories, and they won't affect the calculation.