2013 Session: 443

• Approach for Calibrating and Validating the Simulation of Complex Rail Networks
  Abstract: This paper presents a framework for the estimation of the stochastic inputs of railway simulation and for the definition of the simulation scenarios on the basis of real data. The method was developed to allow the quick preparation and validation of the simulation models for the most important nodes in Italy and has already been tested on networks with up to 1000 trains/day before becoming widespread in Italy for assessing the impact of infrastructure and timetable improvements as well as for estimating ex-ante the reliability of timetables. The primary advantage of the approach is the very low effort required to define the data sets on the basis of data collected automatically, as well as the simple generation of realistic simulation scenarios. These characteristics were the key factors for the use of the approach in large scale.
  Authors: Medeossi, Giorgio; Longo, Giovanni
  Authors: Medeossi, Giorgio; Longo, Giovanni
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-0327
• Simulation-Based Approach for Optimal Design of Signalling Block Layout in Railway Networks
  Abstract: To meet the growing demand in railway transportation, practitioners are more and more required to upgrade or substitute signalling system in order to increase network capacity. Existing approaches for the design of signalling layout, usually tend to maximize technological efficiency of the system by shortening block section length, thus reducing line headway and energy consumption but increasing investment costs. This paper presents a design approach addressed to identify the signalling layout which minimizes investment and management costs, while respecting the required level of capacity. To solve this problem an innovative design framework is introduced which integrates a stochastic multi-train simulation model within a “black-box” optimization loop. Results obtained from an application to a real metro line confirm the effectiveness of such method in finding the solution which minimizes total costs for line manager. A comparison with the block layout which maximizes technological efficiency highlights that the obtained solution constitutes a satisfying trade-off between total costs and network performances.
  Authors: Quaglietta, Egidio
  Authors: Quaglietta, Egidio
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-1157
• Train Stop Scheduling in a High-Speed Rail Network Structured by Lines with Heterogeneous Operating Conditions
  Abstract: In a high speed rail (HSR) network structured by lines with heterogeneous operating conditions, each line is generally built with a target servicing passenger ODs scope and a planned capacity allocation scheme, which brings new considerations of capacity utilization goals into train stop scheduling problem (TSSP). The paper develops a new mixed integer programming TSSP model with two objectives of efficiently utilizing train seating capacity and minimizing passengers¡¯ generalized cost, aiming at scheduling train stops with flexible combinatorial stop patterns to ensure train service accessibility. Specially, the rail network¡¯s capacity utilization goals are elaborated, the resulting passenger demand management strategies are accommodated into a passenger flow assignment procedure embedded in the model as a multi-commodity problem. A HSR network is adopted from the Chinese HSR system to conduct a case study, and a Branch-and-Bound algorithm is performed on the model. In addition to satisfying performance criteria given by designed objectives, a train stop schedule estimated from the model application shows a better applicability, which is investigated from the rail network¡¯s capacity utilization indicators in terms of e.g., train stop times restriction and train capacity allocation of different type of trains, and transfer hubs designation on different lines.
  Authors: Fu, Huiling; Zhang, Xin
  Authors: Fu, Huiling; Zhang, Xin
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-2926
• Predicting Potential Railway Operation Disruptions Caused by Critical Component Failure Using Echo State Neural Networks and Automatically Collected Diagnostic Data
  Abstract: European passenger rail systems are massively interconnected and operate with very high frequency. The impacts of single component failures on these types of systems can significantly affect technical and operational reliability. Today advanced diagnostic tools with broad functionalities are being added to systems and system components. These tools monitor, control the operation and support the maintenance of the highly sophisticated and interconnected components. This paper presents an approach for using a set of diagnostic event data from a passenger train exterior door system to predict the occurrence of events that might evolve into operational disruptions that impact train operation and therefore railway reliability. This approach uses a neural network algorithm with a dynamic temporal behavior (the echo state network) in combination with principle component analysis. The proposed approach exhibits a prediction accuracy of up to 99%.
  Authors: Fink, Olga; Weidmann, Ulrich Alois
  Authors: Fink, Olga; Weidmann, Ulrich Alois
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-0676
• Approach for Calibrating and Validating the Simulation of Complex Rail Networks
  Authors: Medeossi, Giorgio
  Authors: Medeossi, Giorgio
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-0327
• Predicting Potential Railway Operation Disruptions Caused by Critical Component Failure Using Echo State Neural Networks and Automatically Collected Diagnostic Data
  Authors: Fink, Olga
  Authors: Fink, Olga
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-0676
• Simulation-Based Approach for Optimal Design of Signalling Block Layout in Railway Networks
  Authors: Quaglietta, Egidio
  Authors: Quaglietta, Egidio
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-1157
• Train Stop Scheduling in a High-Speed Rail Network Structured by Lines with Heterogeneous Operating Conditions
  Authors: Fu, Huiling
  Authors: Fu, Huiling
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail
  Session: 443
  Paper Number: 13-2926