Author(s)

E. M. Kanacilo & N. van Oort

Abstract

To achieve high operational quality in public transport, ex ante analysis should be made when planning the line network and timetable. This paper presents a Rail Simulation Library which is applicable for light rail and tram systems. This library is the core of a decision support environment to help designers assess the impact of network and timetable design on operational quality, e.g. speed and reliability. This model is used for designing a new light rail connection, RandstadRail, in The Hague. Different scenarios were run to calculate whether the line configuration and timetable were robust and stable. All scenarios consist of several stochastic processes like dwell time, driving time, turning time and waiting time at traffic lights. The model shows the results in both a tabular view as well as in an animation. The Rail Simulation Library proved to be suitable to forecast operations and to support the design of a line network and achievable timetable. By performing an ex ante analysis more robust and stable networks and timetables could be designed, thus facilitating a higher level for operational quality. Keywords: simulation, reliability, network design, urban public transport, light rail, operations, forecasting.

Keywords

simulation, reliability, network design, urban public transport, lightrail, operations, forecasting.