A mathematical programming model to select maintenance strategies in railway networks

This paper presents a nonlinear integer programming model to support the selection of maintenance strategies implement on different segments railway network. Strategies are selected which collectively minimise impact sections’ conditions service, given network availability and budget constraints. Different metrics related topology, availability, service frequency, performance requirements costs, combined into quantitative approach with holistic view. The main contribution is provide simple yet effective modelling solution method suitable for large networks make use standard solvers. Both an ad hoc heuristic relaxation methods developed, latter enabling quality be estimated. lines computed by exploiting analogy series–parallel networks. By varying parameters, scenario analysis performed give insight influence system parameters strategies, thus more informed decisions. For its structure, versatile address similar problems arising in other types networks, such as road bridges when deciding strategic allocation efforts.