NS Rewrites the Book on Timetabling

"More, easy and reliable" is the slogan Netherlands Railways (NS) has adopted as it changes to its first new timetable since 1970. NS, the busiest European rail network, with a veritable monopoly on Dutch passenger service, launched its new timetable on December 10, 2006, when it entered the first segment of a three year plan for schedule development. With emphasis given to the Schiphol Airport tunnel, NS hopes to meet government targets in improving punctuality while it also accommodates an 80% growth in passengers since 1970 and significant growth in freight. While two additional tracks are scheduled to open next month, delay and cost have reduced additional projects until 2020 to one, with emphasis on improving existing lines instead. Rewriting the timetable was done using 10 possible parameters through a mathematical model developed by Amsterdam's Centre for Mathematics and Information Technology. "Simone", one derivative, showed how failure induced delays could spread across the entire network. NS resolved train service conflict and subsequent delay by reorganizing services into corridors so that lines were shared by fewer routes. Although this affects routes, NS says 75% of travel can be made without changing trains. Only 3% of passengers will need to change more often than they did before, but with connection time and logistics improved. Combining and dividing trains on longer intercity routes has been largely discontinued. Semi-fast service is being phased out, leaving intercity and regional (Sprinter) service available. Further revisions to the timetable are expected in 2013.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07445326
• Authors:
  • Barrow, Keith
• Publication Date: 2007-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Maps; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 18-20
• Serial:
  • International Railway Journal
  • Volume: 47
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0744-5326

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freight and passenger services; Mathematical models; Schedules and scheduling; Timetables
• Identifier Terms: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; Nederlandse Spoorwegen
• Geographic Terms: Netherlands
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Freight Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01045373
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 26 2007 8:16AM