Scheduling multimodal alternative services for managing infrastructure maintenance possessions in railway networks

Jacob Trepat Borecka,Nikola Bešinović

doi:10.1016/j.trb.2021.10.009

Jacob Trepat Borecka, Nikola Bešinović

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2021.10.009

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Abstract

Highly utilized railway networks require regular infrastructure maintenance. Different track sections often need to be closed for entire days to carry out engineering works, which makes the regular timetables no longer feasible and thus adjusted railway services and temporary alternative services need to be planned. We introduce the Multimodal Alternative Services for Possessions (MASP) problem to support the planning of alternative services, from the passenger and transport operator points of view, including an adjusted train timetable, bus-bridging services and extra train services. The MASP problem is formulated based on the Service Network Design Problem and the Vehicle Routing Problem. To solve it efficiently, we develop a solution framework that incorporates heuristics based on the column and row generation with mixed-integer linear programming. The developed framework provides the optimized alternative service routes, schedules and passenger flows routing. We demonstrated the performance of the MASP solution framework on the real-life Dutch railway network. The results show that the MASP framework is capable of efficiently generating alternative services to route passenger flows affected by possessions with a very limited increase in the total passenger costs compared to a scenario with no link closures. High computational efficiency is observed even for highly disrupted networks.

Highlights

The results show that the Multimodal Alternative Services for Possessions (MASP) framework is capable of efficiently generating alternative services to route passenger flows affected by possessions with a very limited increase in the total passenger costs compared to a scenario with no link closures
We addressed the problem of planning temporary alternative services during infrastructure maintenance possessions in railway networks
We used the principles of the Service Network Design Problem and the Vehicle Routing Problem, mixed-integer linear programming and heuristics based on the multi-column generation in order to efficiently add passenger paths and extra train services, as well as the row generation to include infrastructure constraints

Summary

Introduction

Utilized railway systems require regular maintenance to minimize the effects of failures that can cause traffic disruptions and keep a high level of service. Maintenance involves engineering works that often require closure of tracks or stations that can last from short periods (e.g. one hour) to several days (Looij, 2017). These closures are known as a possession of the railway infrastructure. The regular timetable may no longer be feasible and a temporarily adjusted timetable is needed to continue serving the passenger demand while minimizing delays, cancellations and short-turnings (Van Aken et al, 2017a,b).

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