Improving railway operations through the integration of macroscopic and microscopic modelling with optimisation

Umiliacchi, Silvia (2016). Improving railway operations through the integration of macroscopic and microscopic modelling with optimisation. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Britain's railway industry is implementing the vision of the system in the next thirty years, as outlined in the Rail Technical Strategy (2012); the main objectives to achieve are: carbon and cost reduction, capacity increase and customer satisfaction.
The timetable design process is identified as a key enabler of the strategy's implementation.The current method in use is considered as a lengthy process with little computer support and optimisation.
This study tries to overcome the outlined weaknesses of the existing method by proposing a more automated process in which the optimisation of a timetable is a properly design stage.
The method has been applied to minimise the total energy consumption of five trains on the Aberdeen-Inverness line, while meeting operational and safety constraints. The results showed a reduction in the total energy consumption of 7%, while the average train total journey time is increased by 1% in comparison with the initial schedule.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):