Passenger Train Operation Research Articles

Research on Optimization of High-Speed Passenger Train Operation Line Layout Considering Efficiency and Benefit

Research on Optimization of High-Speed Passenger Train Operation Line Layout Considering Efficiency and Benefit

The relationship between freight and passenger train noise levels and distance on the Sydney Metropolitan Rail Network across 281 measurement sites

Transport for NSW undertakes noise monitoring at a range of distances and locations around the NSW Government-managed rail network. The monitoring quantifies noise levels from freight and passenger train operations and informs delivery of noise reduction programs including the Transport for NSW’s Freight Noise Attenuation Program, which was launched in 2015. Comprehensive noise monitoring over a typical period of two weeks has been undertaken at 281 representative locations adjacent the passenger and freight rail network around Sydney. Results were analyzed to determine the LAE noise levels from each freight and passenger train passby, and the average weekday LAeq(15hour) daytime and LAeq(9hour) night-time levels. Curves of best fit are presented that illustrate the relationship between freight and passenger train noise levels and the distance to the near track. These curves of best fit can be utilised by Government agencies and acoustic practitioners to quantify the potential noise impact of freight and passenger train operations at a range of distances and locations close to the NSW Government-managed rail network and identify appropriate noise mitigation measures.

Energy-Efficient Train Driving Based on Optimal Control Theory

Efficient train driving plays a vital role in reducing the overall energy consumption in the railway sector. An energy minimising control strategy can be computed using the framework given by optimal control theory; in particular, the Pontryagin maximum principle can be used. Our optimisation approach is based on an algorithm presented by Khmelnitsky that considers electric trains equipped with regenerative braking. A derivation of Khmelnitsky’s theory from a more general formulation of the maximum principle is given in this article, and a complete list of switching cases between different driving regimes is included that is essential for practical application. A number of numerical examples are added to visualise the various switching cases. Energy consumption data from real-life operation of passenger trains are compared to the calculated energy minimum. In the presented study, the optimised strategy was able to save 37 percent of the average energy demand of the train in operation. The sensitivity of the energy consumption to deviations of the train speed from the optimum speed profile is studied in an example. Another example illustrates that the efficiency of regenerative braking has an effect on the optimum speed profile.

Design of a High-Speed Railway Passenger Train Operation Scheme considering Survivability of the Network

As an important part of modern comprehensive transportation system, high-speed railway (HSR), whether it is a transregional trunk line or an intercity line, always shapes the industrial layout and changes the living environment at different levels. Based on the analysis of the railway network topology and organization process of passenger train, this paper clarifies the connotation of passenger train operation scheme of HSR considering network survivability, and further explains the connotation of railway network system and its relationship with passenger train operation scheme. In this paper, a comprehensive quantitative index of the importance of key nodes and key edges is established, and an evaluation index of the survivability of railway service network based on the operating mileage of passenger trains is constructed, which is applied to the real local HSR network in China. With the aim of improving the survivability of HSR system, an alternative operation route of passenger trains between some OD stations is given according to the specific railway interruption situation.

Simulation-Based Schedule Optimization for Virtual Coupling-Enabled Rail Transit Services with Multiagent Technique

Virtual coupling (VC) is a train-centric next generation signalling system, which can enable multiple trains to operate in a formation just like one train or decouple separately on-the-run or at station flexibly or as planned. With the aim of optimizing the interdeparture train headway time, providing the variable capacity for diverse passenger demand, maximizing the passenger riding comfort degree, and minimizing passenger travel cost and train operation cost, the dynamic schedule for VC-enabled rail transit services is investigated with the multiagent simulation technique on NetLogo platform. Our contribution is mainly fourfold. First, VC-enabled rail transit entity for simulation is represented with the multiagent technique, including representation of train unit, train convoy, passenger attributes and behavior, and mathematical formula for calculation of the train operation cost and passenger travel cost, as well as passengers riding comfort degree are proposed. Second, the operational principles for flexible and self-organisingVC-enabled trains are defined. Third, the VC-enabled train-centric, passenger demand-driven, and agent-based simulation flow and algorithms are developed innovatively, which adopt the ergodic strategy for simulation by traversing each O-D pair demand along each route section over the rail transit network. Finally, we test and discuss the proposed methodology on the designed computational experiment on the NetLogo platform, and the simulation results series validated the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The provided research can effectively support the VC-enabled platoon operation-oriented train service schedule for future study.

A Critique of the Initiative for Public–Private Partnership in Passenger Train Operations

In this paper, we critique the initiative for public private partnership in passenger train operations, started by the Ministry of Railways in July 2020. First, we examine each of the clusters in terms of parameters having implications on market and design coherence. The parameters include category of service (based on running time), train kms per week, train hours per week and average speed. Second, we present the salient features of bid parameters and conditions as per the documents released by the Ministry of Railways. Third, we assess the public private partnership initiative and bid conditions on parameters such as drivers for the initiative, market coherence, design coherence, bidding process and timeline, bid criteria, concession period, issues of competition, financial capacity, entry costs, train set features, fare and ticketing, terminals, schedule and stoppages, haulage and other charges and operations & maintenance. We also draw lessons from our understanding of the public private partnership experience of container train operators, where applicable. Finally, we suggest a way forward for the stakeholders in this public private partnership initiative.

Performance analysis of subgrade in asphaltic rail track design and Indonesia’s existing ballasted track

AbstractDue to subgrade-related concerns, the performance of Indonesia’s ballasted track continues to be significant impediments for the Indonesian railway stakeholders’ intention to increase the speed of passenger train operations. This study aims to examine the vertical compressive stress in the subgrade of Indonesia’s ballasted track and two asphaltic rail track designs, asphaltic overlayment and asphaltic underlayment, under various cyclic loading conditions based on three different train speeds, 120 (low speed), 240 (medium speed), and 360 kph (high speed). The AC layer thicknesses for each asphaltic rail track design are as follows: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 m for asphaltic underlayment, and 0.075, 0.15, 0.225, and 0.3 m for asphaltic overlayment. 2D finite element models and simulations were used to capture and predict the subgrade’s vertical compressive stress performance. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that the asphaltic overlayment track has a greater capacity for transmitting and decreasing stresses from the top structure to subgrade layer than the asphaltic underlayment track and the Indonesia’ ballasted track, respectively. This research can shed light on the prospective application of asphaltic rail track to the Indonesian rail network for the faster passenger trains operation.

Comparative characteristics of the emissions control during the operation of passenger trains

The trend in the development of railway transport also includes the solution of such an important environmental, technological, sanitary and, to some extent, aesthetic problem as the transfer of all operated mainline passenger trains to environmentally friendly toilet complexes (EFTC). For the disposal of EFTC waste, a system has been created for the disposal of fecal waste in parking lots, which are then transported by sewage disposal machines and dumped into general treatment facilities. At the moment, as one of the possible options for industrial waste disposal of EFTC, wastewater sludge incineration plants are being considered. The method of waste incineration reduces the time, labor and financial costs of waste turnover, and taking into account the epidemiological risks of fecal waste, it has high development prospects. This article discusses similar combustion processes using the example of technologies implemented at wastewater sludge incineration plants, emissions from enterprises and the processes of formation of pollutants. And also, within the framework of this work, a comparative analysis of the control of emissions of pollutants from the combustion of sewage sludge into the atmosphere in the Russian Federation and in the EU, countries were carried out.

Modeling and Analysis of Low-Frequency Oscillation for Electrified Railway under Mixed Operation of Passenger and Freight Trains

Addressing the shortcomings of existing low-frequency oscillation research on electrified railways, which has mainly focused on single-type trains and lacks the accurate modeling of traction inverter systems, in this paper we modeled and analyzed low-frequency oscillations in an electrified railway passenger and freight mixed-operation vehicle–grid system. First, an equivalent model of the DC side of the traction inverter was established, with the inverter system being equivalent to the parallel connection of the load resistance and the current source, and the specific mathematical expression was determined and verified by impedance measurement. Secondly, based on the equivalent model of the DC side of the traction inverter, a small signal model of the vehicle–grid system under the mixed operating conditions of CRH5 and HXD2B considering the inverter system was established. The generalized Nyqusit criterion was used to study the low-frequency oscillation characteristics under mixed transportation conditions. The accuracy of the established model and the correctness of the theoretical analysis were verified based on Matlab/Simulink. Finally, using the dominant pole theory to analyze the low-frequency stability conditions, the relationship between the number of mixed trains and the minimum short-circuit ratio was obtained, and the simulation verification was carried out.

Optimization of Metro Trains Operation Plans Based on Passenger Flow Data Analysis

Metro intelligent system produces massive passenger flow and traffic data every day, among which route, station, and operation data are important for optimizing the train operation scheme. We collect passenger flow information of Shenzhen metro, analyze the passenger flow pattern and its distribution characteristics based on the data warehouse of the Hadoop platform, and optimize the train operation scheme in this paper. Using dynamic passenger flow data, an optimization model with train departure and dwell time as decision variables and passenger waiting time, passenger ride time, train full load ratio, and train operation balance as objectives is developed. An improved parallel genetic algorithm (GA) incorporating a simulated annealing algorithm (SAA) and an optimal individual retention strategy is used to find the optimal result. To verify the usefulness of the method, simulation experiments are conducted on the optimization model and method using the real passenger flow and train operation data of Shenzhen metro, and the simulation results are compared with the original plan.

Getting freight trains back on track–How railway undertakings, infrastructure owners and regulators can navigate the main dilemmas in freight business to drive sustainable growth

Rail freight reportedly makes for an environmentally friendly means of transport. It also has significant potential for making a lucrative business, a stark contrast to rail passenger transport. Yet in Europe rail freight has long been displaced over its road equivalent and grown at rates inferior to overall land goods freight. Sustainable, profitable rail freight operations depend not only on goods volume, travel distance and pricing, but further on other key aspects permeating goods transportation by rail. Our research demonstrates that the choice for railway undertakings, infrastructure owners, and regulators alike, is in practice a complex one as depending on many, often competing factors. In fact, the key questions usually raised v.a.v. rail freight operations may be summed up to the following: (a) Mixed passenger and freight train operation or dedicated train corridors? (b) Conventional or heavy axle loads for freight trains? (c) Unitized wagonload or integrated trainload services? (d) Dangerous goods land shipping by rail or road? (e) Autonomous or manned freight train operation? Despite many individual contributions in the field, there is currently no single framework addressing the problem holistically. This paper breaks down what is seemingly a hard-to-balance decision-making process for rail freight players. It records and analyzes the forces and dynamics behind the dilemmas above and allows to: provide those partaking in the decision-making process with a robust framework identifying the key drivers behind sustainable rail freight growth; help them individually and collectively make more sound decisions regarding rail operations as a whole–including, in particular, strategic decisions regarding policy and/or investment; and, eventually, to enable them to craft and pursue viable, sustainable transport and business strategies. The research is underpinned by literature data review.

Contributions of railway services towards socio-economic equity and environmental sustenance: Reflections from post-lockdown restrictions on train operations in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, rail transportation was suspended in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns. This constrained the mobility of low-income groups, resulting in a negative impact on social equity. The present article is an outcome of a research conducted to examine the direct and indirect costs that the nation and the financially vulnerable social groups would have suffered due to the opening up of the economy without passenger train operations in the Western Province. The research adopted the approach of analyzing comparative costs against alternative means of mobility and associated impacts, as its methodology. The outcomes revealed that the travel costs of socially vulnerable segments in the Western Province would have increased by around 140% -500% if they had to use bus travel as the alternative mode of mobility, in the absence of train services, during the one month period since opening up of the economy after COVID lockdowns. This cost increase would have been much greater had they used the motorcycle mode as the alternative to the railway. Lowest income groups would not have been able to afford such alternative modes of travel because of higher costs, and thus, at least some of them would have had to forego fulfilling their mobility needs; a significant equity implication. On the other hand, if the train travelers in the Western Province managed to meet their mobility needs through bus and motorcycle modes, in the absence of train service, the national economy would have been compelled to incur an estimated additional cost of around USD 0.64Mn and USD 1.76Mn, respectively, on fuel imports during the same period of one month. The resultant additional CO2 emissions also would have been substantial. It is therefore evinced that railway transport is affordable, saves foreign exchange and minimizes environmental pollution, and any failure to maintain train services is bound to be economically costly and socially and environmentally harmful in the long-run.

A Calculation Method of Passenger Flow Distribution in Large-Scale Subway Network Based on Passenger-Train Matching Probability.

The ever-increasing travel demand has brought great challenges to the organization, operation, and management of the subway system. An accurate estimation of passenger flow distribution can help subway operators design corresponding operation plans and strategies scientifically. Although some literature has studied the problem of passenger flow distribution by analyzing the passengers’ path choice behaviors based on AFC (automated fare collection) data, few studies focus on the passenger flow distribution while considering the passenger–train matching probability, which is the key problem of passenger flow distribution. Specifically, the existing methods have not been applied to practical large-scale subway networks due to the computational complexity. To fill this research gap, this paper analyzes the relationship between passenger travel behavior and train operation in the space and time dimension and formulates the passenger–train matching probability by using multi-source data including AFC, train timetables, and network topology. Then, a reverse derivation method, which can reduce the scale of possible train combinations for passengers, is proposed to improve the computational efficiency. Simultaneously, an estimation method of passenger flow distribution is presented based on the passenger–train matching probability. Finally, two sets of experiments, including an accuracy verification experiment based on synthetic data and a comparison experiment based on real data from the Beijing subway, are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The calculation results show that the proposed method has a good accuracy and computational efficiency for a large-scale subway network.

Literature Review on Problem Models and Solution Approaches for Managing Real-Time Passenger Train Operations: The Perspective of Train Operating Companies

This study presents a comprehensive review of different problem models for managing railway operations by problem-type classification. Railway terminology was used to identify the studies that encompass the existing body of knowledge. The 28 articles analyzed showed that existing studies are focused on the individual schedule components, such as rolling stock, schedules, crews, and passengers. Few studies have adopted a broader scope by covering several of those components. Two of the most popular approaches include the integer linear program and the mixed integer linear program variant. The difference between them is that integer programming uses discrete decision-making variable data, while mixed integer programming also admits continuous variable data. In contrast, few studies involve combining computational algorithms with human knowledge-based approaches. This analysis reveals that the most significant variables for managing disruptive events are related to verifying suppressed circulation and the discrete events of real-time traffic, such as departures and arrivals at stations.

Collaborative Optimization of Passenger Control Strategy and Train Operation Plan with Variable Formations for a Rail Transit Network

We proposed a passenger control strategy and train operation plan collaborative optimization (PCS&TOP) model to schedule the train operation that improves the efficiency of passengers’ travel and reduces the cost of train operation for a rail transit network. The model is an integer non linear programming model that aims to minimize the entrance and platform waiting time of passengers and the operation cost of trains. The timetable and variable train formation are integrated optimized, and the turnaround of rolling stock is also considered by constructing the train operation constraints for the model. The coordination of timetables on different lines and the coordination of passenger control strategies at different stations are mentioned by considering the transfer passengers when constructing the passenger control constraints. To solve the model, a multi-operator simulated annealing (MOSA) algorithm that includes three types of execution operators corresponding to three main decision variables is proposed. A numerical case that includes 2 bidirectional crossed lines and a real-world case from China are introduced to test the efficiency of the proposed method, which demonstrates better performance than the single and respective optimization solutions.

Research on Passenger Flow Assignment of Integrated Cross-Line and Skip-Stop Operation between State Railway and Suburban Railway

The passenger flow assignment in the rail transit network is the basis for determining the passenger spatiotemporal distribution and train operation organization plan. In previous studies, the passenger flow assignment problem mainly focused on lines within the same rail system. Few studies focus on lines with the integrated mode of cross-line and skip-stop operation between state and suburban railway due to fewer cases in practice. In this study, passenger congestion and fare policy are taken into account in the generalized travel cost function, and a passenger flow assignment model based on the path-sized logit (PSL) model considering train capacity is proposed. Meanwhile, a schedule-based spatiotemporal digraph is established to search for the shortest spatiotemporal travel path. Furthermore, an improved method of successive averages (MSA) algorithm is designed to solve the proposed model. The proposed model is verified by a numerical example. The sensitivities of three main parameters which influence the results are also analyzed. The results show that the assignment model based on PSL is practicable in integrated operation mode. The higher the passenger’s familiarity with network information, the more accurate the assignment results. State trains are more attractive when the fare is lower than 0.5 CNY/km or the hourly wage is higher than 50 CNY/h.

Service Potential Analysis Of Passenger Train Operations On Medan – Belawan Route In Order To Develop Northern Medan Region

The strategy to overcome traffic jam in Medan City is by using train transportation mode. PT. Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Regional Division I of North Sumatera as the operator has operated passengers train with Medan-Belawan route, however the train only operated for 2 years (2010-2011). The objective of the research is to analyze potential of passenger train, revenue of train operator, feasibility of train project investment, as the effort to re-operate passenger train. Based on analysis result, it can be concluded that a concept of transit oriented development (tod) around the Belawan station is required to increase potential of total passengers

Passenger-oriented traffic control for rail networks: An optimization model considering crowding effects on passenger choices and train operations

In public transport, e.g., railways, crowding is of major influence on passenger satisfaction and also on system performance. We study the passenger-oriented traffic control problem by means of integrated optimization, particularly considering the crowding effects on passenger route choices and on train traffic. The goal is to find the system optimum solution by adapting train schedules and rerouting passengers. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is proposed, identifying the train orders and departure and arrival times, as well as finding the best route for passengers, with the objective of minimizing passenger disutility and train delay. In the model, we allow free splits of the passengers in a group onto different routes and reasonable passenger transfers between trains. We value train crowding by using time multiplier, which is defined as a piecewise constant function of the train crowding ratio (also called load factor), indicating that passengers perceive a longer travel time on a more crowded train. Moreover, we assume variations of the minimum train dwell time, caused by the alighting and boarding passengers. The nonlinear terms in the MINLP model are linearized by using an exact reformulation method and three transformation properties, resulting in an equivalent mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model. In the experiences, we adopt a real-world railway network, i.e., the urban railway network in Zürich city, to examine the proposed approach. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. The results show that, by considering the crowding effects, some passengers are forced to choose the routes that are less crowded but have larger travel/delay times, which leads to the improved passenger comfort and makes the planned train timetable less affected (in terms of delays). We also find that flexibility in train schedules brings more possibilities to serve better the passengers. Moreover, it is observed that if the train dwell time is highly sensitive to the alighting and boarding passengers, then the transport network will become vulnerable and less reliable, which should be avoided in real operations.

Is higher quality always costly? Marginal costs of quality: Theory and application to railway punctuality

In the railway sector, there has been much discussion about the costs of delays to passengers and their willingness-to-pay to reduce them. However, the cost of delays in the supply side of transport markets have received far less attention (Van Oort, 2016). This paper fills several gaps in the transport and railway literature by studying the relationship between the costs of railway supply and travel time reliability. First we articulate a generic theoretical framework for the relationship between costs and quality in railways, building on past contributions in other sectors and bringing together diverse and currently disconnected literatures. A key new element of the framework is the explicit introduction of the concepts of ‘marginal proactive cost’ and ‘marginal reactive cost’. Second, through the lens of this framework, we empirically study the relationship between the cost of passenger train operation companies (TOCs) in Great Britain (2011 to 2015) and the reliability of their services, thus producing the first estimates in the literature of the elasticity of train operating company cost with respect to train delays, and in turn marginal cost of reducing delays. We find that for most TOCs improving quality is costly but, for some, quality improvements would be associated with lower costs overall, indicating that some operators are on a sub-optimal portion of the cost-quality curve. The framework and analysis can be used to aid quality related decisions in the railways including the design of incentive regimes; and can also be applied to other cost-quality contexts, in and outside transportation.

Design for Sustainable Public Transportation: LCA-Based Tooling for Guiding Early Design Priorities

Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important subject for public transportation organizations. For passenger train operators, modernization projects provide key opportunities to improve the environmental impact of their rolling stock by making informed design decisions at the midpoint of the life cycle of their trains. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is widely adopted as the main instrument for evaluating environmental impact. However, in the past LCA was rarely used in the earlier design stages, where it is most effective, due to constrained access to data, information, and LCA-specific expertise. To this end, a purpose-built streamlined LCA tool for train modernization is developed and demonstrated, following a Design Science Research approach. The developed tool simplifies the application of LCA employing four main design principles: (1) sacrificing the declarative function of LCA, (2) the use of Input–Output-based Life Cycle Inventory, (3) the inclusion of ‘shadow costs’, (4) the limitation of the included environmental impact categories. By streamlining the application of LCA in this way, it becomes possible to introduce LCA-based principles and ways of thinking into a process that would otherwise be inaccessible to performing LCA in: the early design stages of modernization projects.