A simulation-based optimization approach to rescheduling train traffic in uncertain conditions during disruptions

Abstract

Delays and disruptions reduce the reliability and stability of the rail operations. Railway traffic rescheduling includes ways to manage the operations during and after the occurrence of such disturbances. In this study, we consider the simultaneous presence of large disruptions (temporary full or partial blockage of tracks) as well as stochastic variation of operations as a source of disturbance. The occurrence time of blockage and its recovery time are given. We designed a simulation-based optimization model that incorporates dynamic dispatch priority rules with the objective of minimizing the total delay time of trains. We, moreover, designed a variable neighborhood search meta-heuristic scheme for handling traffic under the limited capacity close to the blockage. The new plan includes a set of new departure times, dwell times, and train running times. We evaluated the proposed model on a set of disruption scenarios covering a large part of the Iranian rail network. The result indicates that the developed simulation-based optimization approach has substantial advantages in producing practical solution quickly, when compared to commercial optimization software. In addition, the solutions have a lower average and smaller standard deviation than the currently accepted solutions, determined by human dispatcher or by standard software packages.