To main content

A survey of approaches for prioritizing trains in congested railroad networks

Abstract

On potentially highly congested railroad networks, demand for passenger and freight transport
is affected not only by the available capacity but also by the consequences of the achieved
punctuality and regularity: Poor on-time performance increases travel costs and, hence, makes
rail less competitive toward other modes. It is, therefore, paramount to ensure a good
punctuality record of the network, also in the case of disruptions and delays of single trains.
On the tactical leveL well-planned timetables help to achieve both a high capacity utilization and
good punctuality. On the operational level, advanced approaches for rescheduling or prioritizing
trains can support dispatchers controlling the traffic flow.
In this report, we discuss issues to be considered when prioritizing trains and describe the most
common approaches. Furthermore, we give a brief overview of some of the train dispatching
systems currently in use and examples of where they are being used.
We also present some of the latest academic developments in more advanced decision support
far train prioritization on the operational level This also includes results of experimental
studies for coordinating decisions over a larger part of the network. Finally, we discuss how to
connect the dispatching of trains with incentive systems.

Oppdragsgiver: Regionalt Forskningsfond Hovedstaden
Read publication

Category

Report

Client

  • SINTEF AS / 60A152

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Industry / Sustainable Energy Technology
  • SINTEF Digital / Mathematics and Cybernetics

Year

2012

Publisher

SINTEF

Issue

A22523

ISBN

9788214053913

View this publication at Cristin