Automated planning of timetables in large railway networks using a microscopic data basis and railway simulation techniques

摘要

To enhance the flexibility in the planning process and to support the operational demands of a railway, the software system RailSys has been enhanced with a search engine to provide possible train slots in an existing timetable. The slot search engine operates on the detailed RailSys database to provide feasible solutions. The search engine takes into account a correct running time calculation on the basis of actual train characteristics (length and weight), infrastructure parameters (e.g. gradient, speed profiles), the headways of other trains and operational demands (length of the platforms, correspondence, stopping patterns). The second part of the paper deals with the Client-Server architecture of RailSys and the actual use of this technology. Therefore, the paper will describe the interaction between the NEMO (Network Evaluation MOdel) Model and RailSys and illustrate the workflow between models using microscopic and macroscopic data. The paper will conclude with an explanation of how the system will be state of the art, useing a microscopic and detailed model of the infrastructure in order to generate proven and feasible results in the planning process. Furthermore, the paper will provide an overview of more useful fields for the application. The paper will illustrate examples on large parts of the German railways network and provides an outlook of the further development in order to generate timetables automatically. So far Railsys and NEMO have been used in a multitude of applications concerning timetable construction and simulation, railway operation and infrastructure planning at RMCon and IVE in various countries around the world.