The use of simulation modelling for determining the capacity of railway lines in the Czech conditions

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Simulation modelling is one way to determine the capacity of railway lines. The specialized software tool OpenTrack was used for simulation. The aim of this paper was to find out whether the OpenTrack simulation software can be used for the calculation of headway, and to compare the results with the methodology of the Railway Infrastructure Administration (SŽDC). Using the software tool, a detailed transport network model can be created including all its important characteristics. The simulation follows the movements and behaviour of trains with predefined parameters on the modelled railway line. OpenTrack allows for monitoring a range of parameters including not only train delays, train conflicts and train traffic flow, but also for instance train energy performance and headways. During the first stage of work with OpenTrack, a simulation model was created, not reflecting any existing infrastructure but including parameters typical of railway lines in the Czech Republic, such as the configuration of gridirons, length of station tracks, size of block sections, etc. This model was subsequently used for the simulation of type train set journeys, and a headway calculator was used for the calculation of headway values. These values were compared with the methodology used by the Railway Infrastructure Administration. The paper is concluded by the comparison of the above mentioned approaches.</jats:p>

Artificial intelligence in operational applications of railway infrastructure manager

“…It could be e.g. ATO over ETCS -system controlled by artificial intelligence with possibility, but no necessity of operational staff intervention [6]. The simplified architecture is shown in the Figure 7.…”

Simulation assessment of the headway under the ETCS L3

“…A model from literature [2] was used for this research. Here, the authors demonstrated the possibility of using the model in the OpenTrack software to simulate the calculation of the headway, which is given by Czech regulations.…”

“…The gradual development of the railway network equipped with the ETCS system is moving to the foreground a question about the influence of this system on the throughput of a railway line [1,2]. In addition to the traditional division of the ETCS system into its three basic levels (L1 to L3), based on foreign experience, other implementations of this system are beginning to appear, e.g., with shorter block sections that are about 400 meters long and are largely virtual with stop signs.…”

“…In the conditions of the Czech infrastructure, some research [2,[5][6][7] and has so far been carried out by comparing the methodology of the Správa železnic, s.o. and the simulation software OpenTrack, which showed that the calculation of the subsequent interval using OpenTrack is possible, and its results are relevant about the methodology used on the Czech railways.…”

Use of Universal Simulation Software Tools for Optimization of Signal Plans at Urban Intersections

“…However, ExtendSim8 provides very accurate simulation values, and the results of the simulation can be evaluated graphically. The simulation also has its disadvantages, in that it is sensitive to the accuracy of the input data [37,38]. The simulation results will only be as accurate as the data entered into the simulation model.…”