Comparative Application of Methods for Nodes Capacity Assessment

Nowadays a considerable percentage of trains mature delays due to nodes and stations congestion. They are normally a combination of effects of routes conflicts in stations on lines and propagation in stations of delays suffered along the lines. Station areas represent the bottlenecks of railway operations, due to many incompatible train routes crossing each other that lead to many potential conflicts between trains. Goal of the research is to compare some literature methods to study nodes capacity, by application of if-then processes to analyze stability or variability of results obtained by various timetabling to occupy the minimum capacity and increase the number of trains. It is a typical critical circuit, which can be seen as the bottleneck of the timetable to prevent conflicts and delays. In order to tackle the purpose, the paper introduces synthetically the methods and applies them systematically to a complex network, including single and double track lines and various typologies of stations. The further development includes the single and double track lines and various typologies of stations. The further development includes the comparativ

Influence of Signalling Systems on the Capacity of Railways by Lines and Nodes Assessment Methods

In the complex railway networks characterized by mixed traffic, a key focus is the increase of railway capacity by high performances signalling systems, including ETCS/ERTMS and beyond. Nevertheless, the estimation of effects on headway of the introduction of innovations in signalling systems is complex and not consolidated for complex networks characterized by mixed passenger-freight traffic. This study highlights several challenges on line-node capacity calculation of congested network considering a combined effect of routes conflicts in stations on lines and propagation in station of delays suffered along the lines. The paper describes some results of the ongoing research based on the integrated use of analytical methods and simulation to networks controlled by different standard signaling systems and innovative hybrid solutions able to increase the capacity under specific operational conditions. The paper introduces the application of the methods to the complex mixed-traffic network in Trieste railway node, situated in Northeast of Italy, including the main passengers and freight terminals and the lines operated for both services. The objective is to identify the most appropriate technological solutions and methodological approach for the optimization of the network capacity and minimization of the delays

Comparative application of methods for the combined lines-nodes capacity assessment

Nowadays, a considerable percentage of trains mature delays due to nodes and stations congestion. They are normally a combination of effects of routes conflicts in stations on lines and propagation in stations of delays suffered along the lines. It is a consequence of the variable values of capacity within the railway system caused by a combination of parameters, more relevant when short line sections separate nearby stations. Goal of the research is to compare some literature methods for the assessment of nodes and lines capacity to identify their reciprocal effects and innovative approaches. The work is included in a research framework with the final goal of traffic optimization and minimization of delays. In order to tackle the purpose, the paper introduces synthetically the methods and applies them systematically to a complex text network, including single and double track lines and various typologies of stations. The results of the methods applications are compared each other and with the outputs of a simulation approach. This analysis highlights the most appropriate application fields of single methods and the need of their integration and combination in terms of inputs, intermediate and final results. The review of single and coordinated use of these methods will move towards the definition of a comprehensive new methodological approach for combined lines-nodes capacity calculation. It will represent a powerful instrument to facilitate decision making on operational and infrastructural improvements of complex railway networks