Optimization on Metro Timetable Considering Train Capacity and Passenger Demand from Intercity Railways

Abstract

Timetable optimization of metro lines connecting with intercity railway stations can reduce passenger waiting time and improve service quality. Based on arrival times of intercity trains and the entire process for passengers transferring from railway to metro, this paper develops a mathematical model to characterize the time-varying demand of passengers arriving at the platform of a metro station connecting with an intercity railway station. Provided the time-varying passenger demand and capacity of metro trains, a timetable model to optimize train departure time of a bi-direction metro line where an intermediate station connects with an intercity railway station is proposed. The objective is to minimize waiting time of passengers at the connecting station. A genetic algorithm is applied to solve the proposed timetable model. Real-world case studies show that the prediction accuracy of the proposed model on passenger demand at the connecting station is higher than 90%, and the timetable model can reduce waiting time of passengers at the connecting station by 23.57% with negligible influence on passengers at other stations.