Optimization of Train Departure Times at an Interchange Considering Passenger Flows

This paper presents results of the numerical optimization of departure times of trains at an interchange station when services are disrupted. The evaluation function is based on accumulated, or aggregated, passenger delays and the dynamic model of the interchange accounts for variations in passenger walking times. A passenger flow model is developed using petri nets, which enables the representation of passenger flows inside a station to be made with sufficient accuracy and short calculation times. The evaluation function of aggregated passenger times is defined, and the optimization is conducted using the multi-dimensional downhill simplex method. Results show that the optimized train departure times essentially represent compromises between the benefit generated by the extended holding of trains to allow more passengers to catch an earlier service and the disbenefit generated by longer waiting times of passengers already on the train being held. The paper concludes with recommendations for combining these techniques with other models and evaluation criteria in order to move towards a practical train controller. Examples of refinements are a model of passenger behavior when guidance information is provided, variations in dwell times when different numbers of passengers get on/off a train, congestion inside trains, and the impact of holding a train on overall operations of trains on the line.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09544097
• Authors:
  • Takagi, R
  • Goodman, C J
  • Roberts, C
• Publication Date: 2006-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 113-120
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit
  • Volume: 220
  • Issue Number: F2
  • Publisher: Sage Publications Limited
  • ISSN: 0954-4097
  • EISSN: 2041-3017
  • Serial URL: http://pif.sagepub.com/content/current

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Optimization; Passenger trains; Railroad traffic control; Railroad vehicle operations; Schedules and scheduling; Time intervals; Train operations; Travel behavior
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic routing; Passenger flow models
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01035916
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 27 2006 8:08AM