Author(s)

D de Vries

Abstract

This paper addresses the need for and benefits of advanced real-time traffic management in railway operations. Specifically, the results of the COMBINE project, which was co-funded by the European Commission, are reported. In this project an advanced real-time traffic management system (TMS) was developed and tested on a simulation level, showing valuable advantages in terms of better punctuality and energy saving when compared with common dispatching rules. The architecture of this TMS, the conflicts detected, the means to control and the optimisation criterion are discussed. A simple example of a traffic situation controlled by the TMS is presented in order to clarify its operation and benefits. Given the success of this project, a pilot is currently being set-up in the Netherlands to test benefits in real-life practice. Also, COMBINE II was recently accepted by the European Commission for co-funding and will extend the project scope to different safety systems and larger networks.

Keywords