Train Dispatcher Research Articles

A fuzzy Petri net model to estimate train delays

Even with the most accurate timetable, trains often operate with delays. The running and waiting times for trains can increase unexpectedly, creating primary delays that cause knock-on delays and delays for other trains. The accurate estimation of train delays is important for creating timetables, dispatching trains, and planning infrastructures. In this work, we proposed a fuzzy Petri net (FPN) model for estimating train delays. The FPN model with characteristics of hierarchy, colour, time, and fuzzy reasoning was used to simulate traffic processes and train movements in a railway system. The trains were coloured tokens, the track sections were termed places, and discrete events of train movement were termed transitions. The train primary delays were simulated by a fuzzy Petri net module in the model. The fuzzy logic system was incorporated in the FPN module in two ways. First, when there were no historical data on train delays, expert knowledge was used to define fuzzy sets and rules, transforming the expertise into a model to calculate train delays. Second, a model based on the Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) was used for systems where the historical data on train delays were available (from detection systems or from the train dispatcher’s logs). The delay data were used to train the neuro-fuzzy ANFIS model. After the results of the fuzzy logic system were verified, the ANFIS model was replicated by a fuzzy Petri net. The simulation was validated by animating the train movement and plotting the time-distance graph of the trains. Results of the simulation were exported to a database for additional data mining and comparative analysis. The FPN model was tested on a part of the Belgrade railway node.

Passenger Train Delay Classification

One of the most popular data mining areas, which estimate future trends of data, is classification. This research is dedicated to predict Iranian passenger train delay with high accuracy over Iranian railway network. A hybrid method based on neuro-fuzzy inference system and Two-step clustering is used for this purpose. The results indicate that the hybrid method is superior over the other common classification methods. The result can be used by train dispatcher to accurate schedule trains to diminish train delay average.

A Fuzzy Petri Nets approach for railway traffic control in case of abnormality: Evidence from Taiwan railway system

Railway traffic control by dispatchers in case of abnormality is critical to assure the service quality of a railway system’s operation. However, this unique professional knowledge often lies in the dispatcher’s mind. Therefore, this study aims to transform a train dispatcher’s expertise into a useful knowledge rule. The fuzzy Petri Net approach is adopted to formulate the decision rules of train dispatchers in case of abnormality as the basis for future development of a dispatching decision support system. The dispatching decision rules, factors, and possible options when perturbation happens are collected via expert interviews and literature reviews. This study discusses the abnormal scenarios, including centralized traffic control system failure, automatic train protection failure, and locomotive failure. A case study of a line section of Taiwan’s railway network is implemented and the empirical result could be used as a reference in railway dispatching in case of abnormality.

Structural Reform in the Rail Industry

In a competition roundtable focused on separation of rail track ownership from that of train operations, accumulating evidence is examined that suggests the value of structural separation in the railways sector may be less than previously thought. Integration may yield benefits for a number of reasons, including externalities between train operations and rail maintenance, and difficulties in overseeing traffic in an environment with delays and imperfect information for the train dispatcher. The potential value of separation may differ between passenger operations and freight operations. While passenger operations often require subsidies and, in a separated regime, are often provided via competition for the market (concessions), freight operations offer more potential for beneficial vertical separation. For international traffic between moderate-sized countries, the ability to operate across borders may be limited by a number of factors, including language and technical specifications which need to be addressed in order to broaden the potential for international rail-based freight. This Roundtable on Structural Reform in the Rail Industry was held in 2005 in the Working Party on Regulation of the Competition Committee.

Human-factors engineering for smart transport: Decision support for car drivers and train traffic controllers

The theme Smart Transport can be described as adequate human–system symbiosis to realize effective, efficient and human-friendly transport of goods and information. This paper addresses how to attune automation to human (cognitive) capacities (e.g. to take care of information uncertainty, operator trust and mutual man–machine adaptations). An introduction to smart transport is presented, including examples of best practice for engineering human factors in the vehicle ergonomics and train traffic control domain. The examples are representative of an ongoing trend in automation and they show how the human role changes from controller to supervisor. Section 2 focuses on the car driver and systems that support, or sometimes even take over, critical parts of the driving task. Due to the diversity of driver ability, driving context and dependence between driver and context factors, there is a need for personalised, adaptive and integrated support. Systematic research is needed to establish sound systems. Section 3 focuses on the train dispatcher support systems that predict train movements, detect potential conflicts and show the dispatcher the possibilities available to solve the detected problems. Via thorough analysis of both the process to be controlled and the dispatcher's tasks and cognitive needs, support functions were developed as part of an already very complex supervision and control system. The two examples, although from a different field, both show the need for further development in cognitive modelling as well as for the value of sound ergonomics task analysis in design practice.

Train traffic control by re-planning in real-time

This paper describes how, in order for train dispatchers to better control the train traffic of tomorrow, new control systems need to be developed. The future brings higher speeds, more frequent traffic, and many independent traffic operators all making the control task more difficult and complicated. The research in this paper focused on the problems of how to control future train traffic and the user interfaces between the train dispatcher and the information- and control systems. The intention of the research is to develop a new interface that provides a better overview, a better control of the traffic flow, easy and straightforward manual interaction, access to diction relevant information and an integrated decision support system. The research has developed a new strategy for controlling train traffic where operators are able to follow the dynamic development of the traffic system over time and hopefully be able to prevent disturbances before they occur. Also, under normal circumstances train dispatchers can be relieved from the tedious and time consuming talk of manually controlling train routes and instead focus on the traffic plan. This new control strategy is called control by re-planning.

Analyses of cognitive processes in train traffic control.

The study of complex information processing and problem-solving situations in practice is discussed, in particular the methods of analysing the cognitive aspects in train dispatcher's work. Some parallels are drawn with related work in processing industries. A prerequisite for the approach to the issue was that the results would have to yield very concrete starting-points for the design of technical aids. The research started from the assumption that it would be extremely difficult to derive design indications from apparently observable actions of the train dispatchers. This led to the choice of a combination of a preliminary simulation study followed by analysis of cognitive processes in the train dispatcher's behaviour in every day practice. It turned out to be helpful for the analysis to draw parallels between the cognitive processes in the behaviour of the train dispatchers and the way of working/thinking shown by test subjects in complex problem-solving experiments.

Optimal Pacing of Trains in Freight Railroads: Model Formulation and Solution

Recent developments in location systems technology for railroads provide a train dispatcher with the capability to improve the operations of a rail line by pacing trains over a territory; i.e., to permit trains to travel at less than maximum velocity to minimize fuel consumption while maintaining a given level of performance. Traditional railroad dispatching models assume that the velocities of the trains moving over a dispatcher's territory are fixed at their maximum value and, thus, are incapable of dealing with a pacing situation. This paper presents a mathematical programming model for the pacing problem and describes alternative solution procedures for this model. Analytical and numerical evidence are presented that confirm the applicability of a heuristic solution procedure for this problem, as well as providing evidence that a pacing approach versus the traditional dispatching approach is an efficient and potentially cost effective method for the control of train movements.

Development of SIMTRACS and its Applications

We have developed SIMTRACS (a SIMulation system of train TRAffic Control Systems for Commuter transportation in major city sphere) to make experiments on man (train dispatcher)-machine communication and feasibility of the algorithm of schedule adjustment which are peculiar to commuter transportation in major city sphere. We designed SIMTRACS an advanced general-purpose, flexible, portable system by utilizing micro-electronics technology. SIMTRACS is composed of a train traffic control system and a train traffic simulator. Using the system we have done various experiments successfully and got useful results by simulating a train traffic control system for Keihin-Tohoku and Yamanote lines which are typical commuter ones in metropolitan area.We present the basic concept, the aim of development, function and performance of SIMTRACS.

Master and Servant. Fellow Servants. Train Dispatcher and Trainmen. Missouri, K. & T. Ry. v. Elliott, et al., 102 Fed. 96

Master and Servant. Fellow Servants. Train Dispatcher and Trainmen. Missouri, K. & T. Ry. v. Elliott, et al., 102 Fed. 96