ESS Collaborative Research: A Methodology for Real-Time Train Dispatching in High Density Networks

研究了多轨道、多优先级、多限速的高密度复杂铁路网络中重载列车的实时调度问题。该研究将为城市地区日益普遍的复杂重载铁路网络中列车总延误最小的无死锁调度提供理论和动态控制算法。确定最大限度地减少列车延误并确保无僵局运营的最佳调度策略是NP困难的。因此，在这个方向上的大部分研究工作都集中在开发调度策略以及详细的模拟来规划调度策略。到目前为止，理论上的努力只解决了轨道配置，如单轨，双轨和部分双轨线路。然而，复杂的实体在铁路系统中，如路口，交叉口，侧线，速度限制和货物的优先权需要考虑，以扩大目前的理论，以大规模的城市轨道网络。为了满足这一需求，我们的研究将包括以下任务：（1）理论研究，着重于开发该复杂物理系统的网络表示，以及表征作为操作基础的非线性和随机动力学，以奠定开发有效调度算法的基础，（2）开发无死锁和接近最优的算法，用于在复杂的一般铁路网络中运行的列车的实时调度，以及（3）开发一种模拟方法来模拟类似于南加州铁路网的复杂铁路网，并使用这种模拟模型验证算法和理论的性能。随着全球贸易的不断增加，全国港口的货运量继续以惊人的速度增长。 例如，洛杉矶港和长滩港是美国最繁忙的港口之一。与太平洋沿岸国家的贸易蓬勃发展，这两个港口的年贸易量超过1亿吨。这些港口处理的货物总量平均分配给洲际和本地货物。 此外，很大一部分当地货物在当地设施进行包装和分类，以便运往整个非洲大陆。铁路是运输这些货物的主要方式。预测显示，未来25年，高价值集装箱货运量将增长两倍。所提出的研究的主要影响将有一个显着的现实世界中的城市轨道交通运营，其中许多相关的复杂性被忽视的理论研究到目前为止。

This research addresses real-time dispatching of heavy-haul trains in a high-density complex railway network with multiple-track configurations, multiple priorities and multiple speed limits. The research will provide the theory and dynamic control algorithms for deadlock-free dispatching with minimal total train delay in complex heavy-haul rail networks that are increasingly common in urban areas. Determining the optimal dispatch policies that minimizes train delays and ensures deadlock-free operations is NP-hard. Therefore, most of the research efforts in this direction have focused on developing heuristics as well as detailed simulations to plan dispatching policies. Theoretical efforts thus far have only addressed trackage configurations like single, double, and partially double rail lines. However complicating entities in a rail system like junctions, crossovers, sidings, speed limits and goods priorities need to be considered in order to extend the current theory to large-scale urban rail networks. To address this need, our research will consist of the following tasks: (1) theoretical studies focusing on developing a network representation of this complicated physical system, and characterization of the nonlinear and stochastic dynamics underlying the operations for laying the foundations of developing effective dispatching algorithms, (2) development of deadlock-free and near-optimal algorithms for the real-time dispatching of trains operating in complex general rail networks, and (3) development of a simulation methodology to model complicated rail networks akin to Southern California rail networks, and validate the performance of algorithms and theory using this simulation model.As global trade continues to increase, cargo traffic at the nation's ports continues to increase at dramatic levels. For example, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are among the busiest ports in America. Booming trade with Pacific Rim nations has seen the annual trade in the two ports exceed 100 million tons. The total volume that these ports handle is evenly divided between transcontinental and local shipments. Furthermore, a large portion of the local shipments are packaged and sorted at local facilities for shipment across the continent. Railways form the major means to transcontinentally move these goods. Forecasts show that volume growth of high-value containerized freight is set to triple in the next 25 years. The main impact of the proposed research will have a significant bearing on real-world urban rail operations, many of whose pertinent complexities have been ignored in theoretical studies thus far.