Improving real-time train dispatching performance: optimization models and algorithms for re-timing, re-ordering and local re-routing

Abstract

This is a summary of the author’s PhD thesis supervised by Ingo A. Hansen and defended on 7 April 2008 at the Delft University of Technology. The thesis is written in English and is available from http://www.darenet.nl. This work deals with the development of an innovative decision support system for railway traffic control in order to cope with real-time timetable disturbances (i.e., multiple train delays and blocked tracks) more effectively. This dynamic traffic control system co-ordinates the speed of successive trains on open track (re-timing), solves expected route conflicts (re-ordering) and provides dynamic use of platform tracks in a station or alternative paths in a corridor between stations (local re-routing). We adopt blocking time theory for a microscopic modeling track occupation and signaling constraints and alternative graphs for optimal solving dynamic traffic control problems with the aim of increasing the punctuality by a more intelligent use of infrastructure capacity at a network scale.