| Title | Optimal Train Scheduling for TRA System |
| Dept | Transportation Engineering, Maritime and Air Transport Division |
| Year | 2006 |
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| Summary | Train scheduling is the foundation of train utilization, crew management, timetable recovery and train dispatching planning. It is one of the kernel activities in railway operation planning. This research reviews the literature on train scheduling problem, and surveys the methods used by TRA in train scheduling process. A preliminary optimization model for this topic is formulated based on the track/platform resources of the western corridor and the operational constraints of TRA. An efficient algorithm for solving the proposed mathematical model is also developed. From these literature reviews, it is found that the methodologies for solving train scheduling problems can be roughly classified into three categories: heuristic algorithms, simulation and mathematical programming. These three approaches trade off between solution quality and computational efficiency. In order to arrive at the exact solution, this research first establishes an optimization model using Mixed Integer Programming (MIP). The result reveals that MIP is hard to solve large-scale train scheduling problems. Alternatively, this research targets the most appropriate solution and proposes a two-stage iteration framework to solve the problem. The case study shows that the two-stage approach using Genetic Algorithm and Linear Programming can obtain a satisfactorily good solution for large-scale train scheduling problems with acceptable computational efficiency. The results of this research can be used for the analysis of operational strategies, as well as for the development and improvement of the train scheduling tasks of the TRA system. |
| Post date | 2006/03/01 |
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