CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS' TERMINAL INTERACTIVE MODEL (TRIM)

Historically, Canadian National Railways (CN) had analyzed operating and design changes to classification yards by using manual simulation. This approach was costly and time consuming, permitting the examination of only one or two alternatives. Recognizing the need for a better approach, CN embarked on the development of a computerized terminal interactive model (TRIM) to replace the tedious and costly manual simulation. The objective of TRIM is to retain the benefits provided by a manual simulation (applicability to both hump yards and flat yards of any configuration, maintenance of a high degree of accuracy and level of detail, use of skills of experienced yardmasters) and add the benefits of computer simulation (faster execution, lower labor intensity, greater detail, rapid analysis of simulation results, flexibility of specification). TRIM is an event-based simulation in that it moves forward through time from one activity to the next. More than one yard analyst at a time can participate in the simulation. A typical scheme would parallel the sphere of control by a yardmaster in a tower. TRIM has been used to study two important yards in western Canada-Kamloops and Thornton (Vancouver), British Columbia.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/927/927-009.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=CANADIAN+NATIONAL+RAILWAYS%27+TERMINAL+INTERACTIVE+MODEL+(TRIM)&author=G.+Engelberg&publication_year=1983
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309036178
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Rail Freight Classification Terminal Design. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Engelberg, George P
• Conference:
  • Railroad Classification Yard Workshop, 3rd, USA
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: pp 39-45
• Monograph Title: Innovation in classification yard technology: proceedings of the third railroad classification yard workshop
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 927
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer graphics; Computer programs; Design; Operations; Planning; Productivity; Railroad yards; Simulation; Traffic delays
• Identifier Terms: Canadian National; Canadian National Railways
• Uncontrolled Terms: Interactive graphics
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Old TRIS Terms: Operations planning; Yard design
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391587
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309036178
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM