Improvement of Freight Train Timetable for Single-Track Railway System

Abstract

A new method is proposed for single-track railway freight train timetable with two-stage solution of train scheduling problem. The method describes train scheduling problem in matrix with the “signaling block” concept. The matrix represents entire block occupancy of trains between inter-stations and internal-stations while decomposing individual train occupancy, making optimization method more flexible in design and use. The “two-stage solution” refers to that of train timetable with “conflict solution” and “timetable optimization.” At the beginning, related data for trains are entered to build the initial timetable, which is then transferred and saved as the matrix format. All conflicts between interstations and internal-stations are located; solutions are made with manual scheduling to generate a feasible timetable. In the second stage, departure and stop time of freight trains, and passenger trains if necessary, are adjusted with Fuzzy system. Before optimization, storage is made in ascending amount of extra-time percent in freight train schedule. Execution is made subject to pre-ordered results during optimization for computer program acceleration of current manual spotting solution to find reasonable and feasible solution. The two-stage method also takes less time than the regular railway timetable design methods in cost saving of manual labor and providing higher operation performance and efficiency.