Method for Railway Timetable Evaluation in Terms of Random Infrastructure Load

Abstract

The traffic schedule is planned to keep distances between trains which allow a conflict-free train operation. For this reason the load of the power supply system is distributed in time. In consequence, the power limit is not exceeded. After unwanted event occurring, the traffic structure may change in such a way that an accumulation of section load can occur. As a result, the power limit can be exceeded and the electricity system may be damaged. Therefore, the main goal of the paper is to elaborate a method for railway timetable evaluation due to random power infrastructure load, caused by undesirable events. To reach the goal, a literature review was performed in terms of timetable evaluation, buffer times, undesirable events, system resilience and robustness. A method based on transportation mean movement theory with probability issues was proposed. The method was verified on a timetable for a selected railway line in Poland. Tractive calculations in terms of the electric power consumption were carried out. Using the method, critical situations were identified and changes were proposed. The paper ends with a discussion of the method and further research.