A multi-agent simulation based train platforming research for facilitating passenger transfer in a high-speed railway station

Abstract

The train platforming problem is one of the most investigated topics in the train operation field. However, a systematic understanding of how train platforming improves the convenience of passenger transfer procedures is still lacking. To face the rapidly growing transfer demands in the high-speed railway station, this paper proposes a transfer-facilitating-oriented train platforming approach based on a multi-agent train operation simulation model. By evaluating the transfer connection quality using an indicator named Transfer Connection Strength(TCS), which considers transfer distance and transfer time, the proposed transfer-facilitating-oriented train platforming strategies can establish more convenient transfer connections and so improve the transfer service. A track occupation horizon based on the modelling of accurate train running processes is utilized to detect route conflicts and guarantee conflict-free train operations in the simulation model, enabling the solutions’ feasibility of train platforming to be taken into account. A series of simulation experiments are conducted using real data of Zhengzhou East station in China. The experiment results show that, the proposed transfer-facilitating-oriented train platforming strategies are capable of obtaining a greater number of convenient transfer connections. The feasibility can be guaranteed by permitted train delays and route conflict detection for the succeeding trains in a forward-looking period. Additionally, the platform assignment plans can be generated with a specified priority of transfer distance or transfer time.