An Optimization-Based Decision Support Tool for Incremental Train Timetabling

We consider the typical workflow of a route planner in the context of short-term train timetabling, that is, the incremental process of adjusting a timetable for the next day or up to the next year. This process usually alternates between (1) making rough modifications to an existing timetable (e.g....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Operations Research Forum 2023-09, Vol.4 (3), p.65, Article 65
Main Authors: Kloster, Oddvar, Luteberget, Bjørnar, Mannino, Carlo, Sartor, Giorgio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applications of Mathematics
Business and Management
Decision support systems
Dwell time
Infrastructure
Integer programming
Linear programming
Math Applications in Computer Science
Mathematical and Computational Engineering
Mixed integer
Operations Research/Decision Theory
Optimization
Planning
Railway stations
Schedules
Steering
Timetables
Topical Collection on Public Transport Optimization: From Theory to Practice
Trains
Workflow
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Summary:We consider the typical workflow of a route planner in the context of short-term train timetabling, that is, the incremental process of adjusting a timetable for the next day or up to the next year. This process usually alternates between (1) making rough modifications to an existing timetable (e.g., shifting the departure of a train by half an hour) and then (2) making small adjustments to regain feasibility (e.g., reduce or increase the dwell time of some trains in some stations). The most time-consuming element of this process is related to the second step, that is to manually eliminate all conflicts that may arise after a timetable has been modified. In this work, we propose a mixed-integer programming model tailored to solve precisely this problem, that is to find a conflict-free timetable that is as close as possible to a given one. Previous related work mostly focused on creating complex models to produce “optimal” timetables from scratch, which ultimately resulted in little to no practical applications. By using a simpler model, and by trusting route planners in steering the process towards a timetable with the desired qualities, we can get closer to handle real-life instances. The model has been integrated in a user interface that was tested and validated by Norwegian route planners to plan the yearly timetable of a busy railway line in Norway.
ISSN:2662-2556
2662-2556
DOI:10.1007/s43069-023-00243-2