Rail transport yards are bottlenecks
We often imagine trains speeding along tracks, but the rolling stock spends indeed a significant amount of time stationary at various points in the railway network. On average, train units spend between 20 and 40 per cent of their time undergoing maintenance or parked overnight in designated areas, the yards. All over Europe, yards are nearing saturation, and they will become a bottleneck as increased use of rail transport has a central role in the green transition.
Mathematical methods to improve efficiency
Managing trains during their "backstage" movements is becoming increasingly challenging for railway personnel. Consider a scenario where three trains are parked on the same dead-end track. Train 1 arrives first, followed by Train 2, and then Train 3. The next morning, Train 1 needs to depart first. Then, Train 2 and Train 3 must be moved first, allowing Train 1 to leave before they return to the parking track. Poor assignment of parking slots can lead to delays, unnecessary energy consumption, and overuse of infrastructure. A recent study conducted for a Dutch yard demonstrated the potential of mathematical methods to improve efficiency, by reducing the required tracks from 43 to 28 without affecting punctuality.
OYO's algorithms will address key challenges
Planners and dispatchers are indeed tackling highly complex problems in their daily work. To support them, OYO will develop artificial intelligence algorithms based on mathematical optimization. OYO’s algorithms will address key challenges such as allocating parking slots and determining how trains should move within the yards. The algorithms will be integrated into the existing platform TPS Yard, which currently connects planners to the field but lacks decision-making capabilities.
We will meet the growing demands of the railway industry
OYO’s initiative is backed by world-class experts in mathematical optimization from SINTEF and SIEMENS, along with the support of leading Norwegian railway companies. Together, we aim to transform yard management, reducing congestion, and boosting efficiency to meet the growing demands of the railway industry.
Photo: Shutterstock (Kurka Geza Corey)
