An Approximate Conflict Detection and Resolution Model for Moving-Block Signalling by Enhancing RECIFE-MILP

Conflict detection and resolution models are being developed to support railway traffic management in taking optimised rescheduling decisions in case of disturbances. Existing models mostly concern fixed-block signalling systems, in which minimum train separation distances are determined based on a preset number of blocks representing worst-case...

Real-time railway traffic management under moving-block signalling: A literature review and research agenda

Railway traffic management is responsible for the detection and resolution of conflicts in case of disturbed operations. To minimise delay propagation, rescheduling decisions are taken by human dispatchers, possibly supported by mathematical models. Existing conflict detection and resolution (CDR) models mostly refer to conventional fixed...

Microscopic simulation of decentralized dispatching strategies in railways

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of decentralized strategies for dispatching rolling stock and train drivers in a railway system. Such strategies give operators a robust alternative in case centralized control fails due to an abundance of infrastructure or rolling stock disruptions or information system malfunctions. We test the...

At-stop control measures in public transport: Literature review and research agenda

In this literature review, we systematically review studies on public transit control with a specific focus on at-stop measures. In our synthesis of the relevant literature, we consider three perspectives: (1) the mathematical models of the proposed methodologies; (2) their complexity; (3) their applicability in real-time operations and their...

A next step in disruption management: combining operations research and complexity science

Railway systems occasionally get into a state of being out-of-control, meaning that barely any train is running, even though the required resources (infrastructure, rolling stock and crew) are available. Because of the large number of affected resources and the absence of detailed, timely and accurate information, currently existing...

A Next Step in Disruption Management: Combining Operations Research and Complexity Science

Railway systems occasionally get into a state of out-of-control, meaning that there is barely any train is running, even though the required resources (infrastructure, rolling stock and crew) are available. These situations can either be caused by large disruptions or unexpected propagation and accumulation of delays. Because of the large number...

Railway disruption management challenges and possible solution directions

This paper investigates the challenges of railway traffic controllers in dealing with big disruptions and the kind of support tools that could help to improve their task in terms of performance, lead time and workload. The disruption handling process can be partitioned into three phases resembling a bathtub. For each phase the essential...

A Microscopic Model for Optimal Train Short-Turnings during Complete Blockages

Currently railway traffic controllers use predefined solutions (contingency plans) to deal with a disruption. These plans are manually designed by expert traffic controllers and are specific to a certain location and timetable. With a slight change in the timetable or infrastructure, these plans might not be feasible and have to be updated....