Quality in rail timetabling - A detailed review of stakeholders’ interests compared with current practices in Germany

Abstract

Quality is a commonly used term when evaluating offered services and is generally defined by its impact on stakeholders. For rail timetabling, however, no definition of quality exists as clear parameters for its measurement have not yet been established. High-quality timetables, which are essential to improve rail operation, require equally addressing the partly contradictory interests of different stakeholders such as public authorities, infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, shippers, and passengers. This paper analyses stakeholders' expectations which define the quality of timetables and discusses their consideration in the timetabling process. While infrastructure managers focus on the feasibility of the constructed timetable and its capacity consumption, shippers and passengers are interested in attractive travel times. After a detailed evaluation of the different stakeholders' interests, we analyse the current timetabling process and underlying regulations in Germany. Since this timetabling process focusses on feasibility and capacity, it lacks an equal integration of all stakeholders’ interests. Therefore, we propose specific parameters to use in an integrated timetabling process to create high-quality timetables and we identify further needs for action.