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中重载列车的实时调度问题。该研究将为在城市地区日益普遍的复杂重载铁路网中实现列车总延误最小的无死锁调度提供理论和动态控制算法。确定最优调度策略以最小化列车延误并确保无死锁运行是NP困难的问题。因此，在这个方向上的大部分研究工作都集中在开发启发式算法以及详细的模拟来规划调度策略。到目前为止，理论上的努力只涉及单轨、双轨和部分双轨等轨道结构。然而，为了将当前的理论扩展到大规模的城市轨道网络，需要考虑铁路系统中复杂的实体，如交叉口、交叉、侧线、限速和货物优先级。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，重点是开发这一复杂物理系统的网络表示，以及对操作背后的非线性和随机动力学的表征，为开发有效的调度算法奠定基础；(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中运行的列车的实时调度；(3)开发一种模拟方法，对类似于南加州铁路网的复杂铁路网进行建模，并使用该模拟模型验证算法和理论的性能。随着全球贸易的持续增长，该国港口的货运量继续以惊人的水平增长。例如，洛杉矶港和长滩港是美国最繁忙的港口之一。随着与环太平洋国家贸易的蓬勃发展，这两个港口的年贸易量已超过1亿吨。这些港口处理的总货运量平均分配给跨洲和本地运输。此外，很大一部分当地货物在当地设施包装和分拣，然后运往整个非洲大陆。铁路构成了这些货物跨洲运输的主要手段。预测显示，未来25年，高附加值集装箱货运量将增长两倍。拟议研究的主要影响将对现实世界的城市轨道运营产生重大影响，到目前为止，许多相关的复杂性在理论研究中被忽视了。

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.