Improving the robustness of the railway system in Brussels

In order to improve the robustness of a railway system in station areas, this paper introduces an iterative approach to successively solve the route choice problem in station areas to optimality and to improve this solution by applying some changes to the timetable in a tabu search environment. Using a discrete event simulation model, the performance of our algorithms is evaluated based on a case study for the Brussels' area. The railway network of the Brussels' area is introduced and its relevance is emphasized. Computational results indicate an improvement in robustness of about 10%, a decrease in knock-on delay of more than 15%, and a 25% reduction in the number of trains that are confronted with conflicts

Public transportation in UK viewed as a complex network

In this paper we investigate the topological and spatial features of public transport networks (PTN) within the UK. Networks investigated include London, Manchester, West Midlands, Bristol, national rail and coach networks during 2011. Using methods in complex network theory and statistical physics we are able to discriminate PTNs with respect to their stability; which is the first of this kind for national networks. Moreover, taking advantage of various fractal properties we gain useful insights into the serviceable area of stations. These features can be employed as key performance indicators in aid of further developing efficient and stable PTNs.Comment: 23 pages, 9 figure

Railway timetabling from an operations research

In this paper we describe Operations Research (OR) models andtechniques that can be used for determining (cyclic) railwaytimetables. We discuss the two aspects of railway timetabling: ($i$)the determination of arrival and departure times of the trains atthe stations and other relevant locations such as junctions andbridges, and ($ii$) the assignment of each train to an appropriateplatform and corresponding inbound and outbound routes in everystation. Moreover, we discuss robustness aspects of bothsubproblems.

Crew Scheduling for Netherlands Railways: "destination: customer"

: In this paper we describe the use of a set covering model with additional constraints for scheduling train drivers and conductors for the Dutch railway operator NS Reizigers. The schedules were generated according to new rules originating from the project "Destination: Customer" ("Bestemming: Klant" in Dutch). This project is carried out by NS Reizigers in order to increase the quality and the punctuality of its train services. With respect to the scheduling of drivers and conductors, this project involves the generation of efficient and acceptable duties with a high robustness against the transfer of delays of trains. A key issue for the acceptability of the duties is the included amount of variation per duty. The applied set covering model is solved by dynamic column generation techniques, Lagrangean relaxation and powerful heuristics. The model and the solution techniques are part of the TURNI system, which is currently used by NS Reizigers for carrying out several analyses concerning the required capacities of the depots. The latter are strongly influenced by the new rules.crew scheduling;dynamic column generation;lagrange relaxation;railways;set covering model

Promoting Intermodal Connectivity at California’s High Speed Rail Stations

High-speed rail (HSR) has emerged as one of the most revolutionary and transformative transportation technologies, having a profound impact on urban-regional accessibility and inter-city travel across Europe, Japan, and more recently China and other Asian countries. One of HSR’s biggest advantages over air travel is that it offers passengers a one-seat ride into the center of major cities, eliminating time-consuming airport transfers and wait times, and providing ample opportunities for intermodal transfers at these locales. Thus, HSR passengers are typically able to arrive at stations that are only a short walk away from central business districts and major tourist attractions, without experiencing any of the stress that car drivers often experience in negotiating such highly congested environments. Such an approach requires a high level of coordination and planning of the infrastructural and spatial aspects of the HSR service, and a high degree of intermodal connectivity. But what key elements can help the US high-speed rail system blend successfully with other existing rail and transit services? That question is critically important now that high-speed rail is under construction in California. The study seeks to understand the requirements for high levels of connectivity and spatial and operational integration of HSR stations and offer recommendations for seamless, and convenient integrated service in California intercity rail/HSR stations. The study draws data from a review of the literature on the connectivity, intermodality, and spatial and operational integration of transit systems; a survey of 26 high-speed rail experts from six different European countries; and an in-depth look of the German and Spanish HSR systems and some of their stations, which are deemed as exemplary models of station connectivity. The study offers recommendations on how to enhance both the spatial and the operational connectivity of high-speed rail systems giving emphasis on four spatial zones: the station, the station neighborhood, the municipality at large, and the region

A resilience-based approach to enhance the capacity of small villages to cope with intertwined threats: A Case-Study in the Basilicata Region

About 70 percent of Italian municipalities that have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants are located in difficult to access mountain areas which are often prone to multiple hazards. As clearly demonstrated by the seismic events that hit Central Italy in 2016, the socio-economic decline of these municipalities is also increasing their vulnerability. Nowadays, small villages represent an important challenge for Italy, because they require significant resources and effective strategies to both break the cycle of decline and promote their economic and social development, while also reducing their vulnerability to natural and climate related hazards. This contribution provides an overview of the initiatives recently launched in Italy in favour of small villages and outlines a methodological path to assess and enhance the overall resilience of these areas, with a focus on a case study area located in the Basilicata Region of Southern Italy

focusing on Ilsan newtown

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Development Policy,2019This paper examines changes in housing values associated with route extensions of a public rail service in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to analyze the causal impacts of the second opening of Gyeongui Line (first route extension) and the opening of Gyeongui-Jungang Line (second route extension) on the apartment prices in Ilsan Newtown. This study defines the treatment and control groups depending on geographical proximity to rail stations, and tests the net impacts of the extensions using the difference-in-differences model. It collected the transaction data from 2012 to 2015 provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in South Korea. This study finds that the first and second route extensions of the rail service have positive effects on the apartment prices that fall within 800m distance from rail stations, and higher treatment effects are found from the second extension. These findings suggest that the increase in accessibility to distant areas through railway line extensions have positive effects on the regional values in the metropolitan area.I. Introduction II. Literature review III. Overview of Gyeongui-Jungang Line and Ilsan Newtown IV. Data and Empirical Strategy V. Empirical Result VI. ConclusionOutstandingmasterpublishedYeontaek JIN

application of nighttime lights data

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Development Policy,2020China’s rapid and successful development of HSR network provides a sound empirical setting to analyze the effect of transport infrastructure on regional development. Did the HSR promote local economic activities in the areas near HSR stations? This study aims to empirically examine the changes in economic activities associated with the introduction of the Wuhan-Guangzhou HSR line on December 26th, 2009. For analysis, this study uses nighttime lights data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to proxy for local economic activities and construct an 8-year panel dataset at the township level. Using a differences-in-differences approach, the study finds that on average, townships near HSR stations have seen an increase in economic activities by 9% four years after the launch of the HSR. A series of robustness checks confirms the main result.1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Background 4. Data and Summary Statistics 5. Empirical Strategy 6. Empirical Results 7. Conclusion and Discussion 8. ReferenceOutstandingmasterpublishedHye Rin LEE