Reducing Train Turn Times with Double Cycling in New Terminal Designs

North American rail terminals need productivity improvements to handle increasing rail volumes and improve terminal performance. This paper examines the benefits of double cycling in wide-span gantry terminals that use automated transfer management systems. The authors demonstrate that the use of double cycling rather than the currently practiced single cycling in these terminals can reduce the number of cycles required to turn a train by almost 50% in most cases and reduce train turn time by almost 40%. This change can provide significant productivity improvements in rail terminals, increasing both efficiency and competitiveness.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2238-02
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Reducing+Train+Turn+Times+with+Double+Cycling+in+New+Terminal+Designs&author=A.+Goodchild&author=J.+McCall&author=J.+Zumerchik&author=J.+Lanigan&publication_year=2011
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/166512.aspx
• Authors:
  • Goodchild, Anne
  • McCall, J G
  • Zumerchik, John
  • Lanigan Sr, Jack
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 8-14
• Monograph Title: Freight Operations 2011
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2238
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freight handling; Freight transportation; Gantry cranes; Productivity; Railroad facility operations; Railroad terminals
• Uncontrolled Terms: Automated transfer management systems; Double cycling; Train turnaround time
• Geographic Terms: North America
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; I70: Traffic and Transport;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01337983
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309167598
• Report/Paper Numbers: 11-2816
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Apr 27 2011 7:21AM