High-speed train scheduling and rescheduling models

Abstract

This paper introduces two optimization-based approaches for the scheduling and rescheduling problems on the high-speed railway network. The first scheduling model defines the best schedules for a set of high-speed trains taking into account costumers’ demand, passengers carrying capacity of trains and the priority of the trains to cover the rail sections in case of conflict on the railway lines. Consecutively, the generated feasible timetables are used for the train rescheduling problem which aims to minimize possible consequences due to events that may affect negatively the real time traffic management. Basing on a case study applied on the Northern Italy railway network, the proposed models seem to produce significant improvements in passengers satisfaction in terms of travel times and to restore the railway network in case of disturbances.