Understanding the Timetable Planning Process as a Closed Control Loop

This paper describes how the combined use of OpenTimeTable, a schedule analysis program, and OpenTrack, a railroad network simulation program, can be used to help develop more robust timetables. The paper describes how these programs and additional statistical analysis was used to help identify causes of delay and evaluate solutions for reducing this delay on Zurich’s suburban rail network. OpenTimeTable was used to identify trains susceptible to delays, as well as network bottlenecks and conflict points using actual operating data. Results of this analysis were then used in OpenTrack to complete a microscopic simulation of the network to understand and visualize the dependencies and delay patterns. The paper describes both the OpenTimeTable and OpenTrack programs in detail. Finally, the paper suggests that using a Web Services approach to combining the existing analysis and network simulation applications with a schedule optimization program through RailML based data transfers might be the most efficient way to automate the railroad schedule development process and lead to improved railroad schedules.