Railway Timetable Optimization Using Non-Proportional Distributed Allowance Arrangement Method

In order to keep certain levels of punctuality in timetable planning, allowance which prevents perturbation in practical operation from causing delays is set proportional in the train path. Differs from the normal arrangement model, a new strategy to optimize allowance arrangement—Curved train Path (CTP) is developed in this paper. Allowance was allocated disproportional with this strategy, and it contributes to the improvements of timetabling in three aspects. With Railsys® as simulation tool, the availability of CTP strategy under different kinds of perturbation, different perturbation distribution and different perturbation level are testified. Result indicates that CTP strategy is quite optimal for delay decrease under running time perturbation and dwell time perturbation, but no benefit under entry perturbation.