Detecting Patterns in Train Position Data of Trains in Shunting Yards

Analysis of Arrival Time Distributions and Delays

Bachelor thesis (2024)

Authors

A.C. Krudde Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Contributors

M.M. de Weerdt Algorithmics - EEMCS (mentor)
I.K. Hanou Algorithmics - EEMCS (mentor)
J. Sun Pattern Recognition and Bioinformatics - EEMCS (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
More Info
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Published Date

27-06-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Abstract

Shunting yards are locations next to train stations that serve as parking places for trains when they are not in operation and often contain facilities for maintenance and cleaning for passenger trains. Planning of the tasks regarding shunting trains involves routing, assignment of tracks, and scheduling tasks. This is done manually and requires a lot of effort, making it inefficient. Identifying patterns specific in the arrival times of trains at shunting yards can help to predict future train arrivals and potential delays throughout the year more accurately. This enables the alignment of staff and equipment with train arrivals, minimizing idle time and optimizing cost efficiency.
This research focuses on extracting and analyzing the arrival times of trains at shunting yards using a dataset consisting of GPS data. It conducts two algorithms to cluster the given data for each train unit within and across days to identify the same train across different days. Distributions and heatmaps of the arrival times and delays are created based on the identified train series. They are analyzed to identify patterns in train arrival times and delays across different months.