Integrated Train Rescheduling and Rerouting during Multidisturbances under a Quasi-Moving Block System

Abstract

It is known that it is critical for train rescheduling problem to address some uncertain disturbances to keep the normal condition of railway traffic. This paper is keen on a mathematical model to reschedule high-speed trains controlled by the quasi-moving blocking signalling system impacted by multidisturbances (i.e., primary delay, speed limitation, and siding line blockage). To be specific, a mixed-integer linear programming is formulated based on an improved alternative graph theory, by the means of rerouting, reordering, retiming, and train control. In order to adjust the train speed and find the best routes for trains, the set of alternative arcs and alternative arrival/departure paths are considered in the constraints, respectively. Due to this complex NP-hard problem, a two-step algorithm with three scheduling rules based on a commercial optimizer is applied to solve the problem efficiently in a real-word case, and the efficiency, validity, and feasibility of this method are demonstrated by a series of experimental tests. Finally, the graphical timetables rescheduled are analysed in terms of free conflicts of the solution. Consequently, the proposed mathematical model enriches the existing theory about train rescheduling, and it can also assist train dispatchers to figure out disturbances efficiently.