Simple Method for Inbound Train Receiving and Allocation in Bidirectional Marshalling Station

摘要

Bidirectional marshalling stations are usually large and will inevitably produce angular railcar flow. How to deal with the receiving yard and allocation of this flow is an optimization problem. In this paper, a hybrid-direction train with angular railcar flow is defined, and we derive the critical proportion value of an angular railcar flow receiving yard according to the operation time standards of the marshalling station, including the disassembly and assembly time of the two operation systems. To prepare the outbound train for departure as soon as possible, the exchange yard connecting time constraint is considered as a priority. This is a simple mathematical model in which the minimum total cost is established by transforming the time constraint into the cost constraint to allocate the railcar flows in the two operation systems separately. The results of the case study show that the rational use of angular railcar flow can be realized by considering the connection time and the number of exchange railcars on the basis of the critical proportion of angular railcar flow and the departure of the outbound train with a full load. This can provide a basis for the establishment of a marshalling station outline shift plan.