A combined approach of microscopic and macroscopic simulation for rail traffic

Abstract

This paper presents a combined approach of rail traffic simulation using suitable models, both microscopic and macroscopic. In rail traffic, train motions do not depend directly on preceding train motions, as in road traffic, but only on the speed limit in the current block section. Using the history of the speed limit in each block section, simulation of the movement of individual trains between stations can be performed independently. Based on this fact, we have formed a new microscopic model and proposed a combined approach, applying the macroscopic model to normal train runs and the microscopic model to others. Our combined approach makes it possible to obtain quick responses by macroscopic simulation and detailed results by microscopic simulation. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc Electr Eng Jpn, 119(3): 61–68, 1997

Challenging established rules for train control through a fault tolerance approach: applications at a classic railway junction

“…Simulation models have been applied to a variety of situations in rail planning and operations. 7 In the UK, starting in the 1970s, the now defunct British Rail used a computer simulation package, GATTS, to aid planning changes to infrastructure, changes to timetables and for the design of train regulation strategies. In other applications such models have been used to estimate the effect of exogenous random delays on track occupation and consecutive delays to affected trains.…”

“…Microscopic models describe train movements in terms of the train performance and track conditions and aim to reproduce the actual operation of the rail system over a user-defined time period. 7 Examples of models in this category include OpenTrack, 10 RailSys, 11,12 SimMETRO 13 and VISIONS. 14 Generally speaking microscopic models take as input the infrastructure parameters, signalling systems, rolling stock parameters and the timetable (all in extensive detail) and replicate performance over a given time period.…”