Train Timetables and Track Maintenance: New Mathematical Techniques for Producing Integrated Schedules

Rail networks need regular, scheduled maintenance in order to operate efficiently. However, maintenance needs to be carefully coordinated with train operations, as the cost of restricting the train schedule potentially results in significant lost revenues for railways. Traditional methods of constructing train timetables with allowance for track maintenance take several weeks, allowing little opportunity to explore potential improvements. This book presents new mathematical techniques for producing integrated train timetables and track maintenance schedules so that, when evaluated according to certain key performance indicators, the overall schedule is the best possible. The research is directed at sparse long haul rail systems. The techniques in this book include a new probabilistic method that can quickly generate a range of different feasible integrated schedules. The speed of the method allows it to be used in a operational setting, both to create schedules and to test different scenarios. Rail operators, mathematicians and engineers may gain useful insight from this book to aid their development of operationally efficient methods for railway management.