Optimising Train Priorities to Support the Regulation of Train Services with the Assistance of Active and Deductive Databases

This paper describes how the maximization of revenues is a fundamental goal of any business-driven railway infrastructure company. In order to achieve this target in the context of traffic regulation, it must try to avoid delays and ensure scheduled connections. However, nominally equal delays to two different trains are not equal in value from an economic point of view in most cases. Moreover, some connections between trains might be more important in this sense than others. There are complex interdependencies and reciprocal effects in railway traffic. Considering these effects, a dispatcher must evaluate possible forms of conflict resolution and the waiting times these give rise to and select the best solution possible. This is not achievable where a time-critical conflict arises at short notice. Even closed mathematical optimization algorithms encounter limits in the case of larger railway networks due to the enormous number of constraints to be considered. This paper will therefore propose that the optimization process be separated from the train regulation process. Instead, economically evaluated train priorities for conflict situations are to be determined with the help of active, deductive and normative rules. Existing concepts of “smart” database management systems (DBMS) with integrated active and deductive database functionalities can be used for this application. An active DBMS allows the definition of reactions to be automatically initiated by the DBMS in response to the detection of given database-related events. A deductive DBMS allows new, deducible facts to be specified, administered and specially derived from explicitly introduced facts. Train priorities are generated and assigned in detachment from day-to-day operations for lightly and heavily disrupted railway traffic respectively. Long-term optimization of these priorities is effected by evaluating past operational data.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1845641779
• Corporate Authors:

  WIT Press

  Ashurst Lodge
  Ashurst, Southampton  United Kingdom  SO40 7AA
• Authors:
  • Sakowitz, C
  • Wendler, E
• Conference:
  • Computers in Railways X. The Tenth International Conference
  • Location: Prague , Czech Republic
  • Date: 2006-7-10 to 2006-7-12
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 489-499
• Monograph Title: Computers in Railways X. Computer System Design and Operation in the Railway and Other Transit Systems

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic train operation; Database management systems; Databases; Decision support systems; Infrastructure; Operating revenues; Railroads; Real time data processing; Real time information; Revenues; Strategic planning; Traffic regulations; Traffic signal priority; Train operations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rescheduling; Signal priority control; Signal priority systems; Train delays
• Subject Areas: Finance; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01035777
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1845641779
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 20 2006 1:49PM