Managing operations in real-time

Abstract

Accurate knowledge about the state of the operation of a railway, together with decision-support tools to help solve the problems that occur during the operation, are key issues for the timely provision of services to the public. Modern communications enable real-time availability of information about the state of execution of the operations. Associated with real-time communication, new kinds of software products are emerging that provide effective support to railway dispatchers. The paper presents a real-time dispatching product developed by SISCOG that enables real-time monitoring of what is happening during the operation and provides optimizers to handle operational disruptions. Scenariobased functionality to address major traffic disruptions is under development. Systems based on this product are in use by several European railways. © 2012 WIT Press.