Scheduling Extra Train Paths Into Cyclic Timetable Based on the Genetic Algorithm

In order to support the process of scheduling a hybrid cyclic timetable, this paper is devoted to inserting additional non-cyclic train paths into existing cyclic timetable. The adding train paths problem is an integration of timetable scheduling and rescheduling problem. The train dispatcher can not only modify the given timetable to manage the interruptions in existing operations, but also establish schedules for additional trains. A multi-objective model minimizing both the travel time of additional trains and the variation of existing trains is proposed in this paper. In addition, we consider both general constraints and some additional practical constraints, such as the overtaking priority constraint, reasonable adjustment of initial schedules and the scheduled connections. This problem is very difficult and must be solved in practice. A heuristic algorithm is introduced to find high-quality solutions for large-scale cases within reasonable computing time. Based on high-speed railway line in China, the case studies illustrate the methodology and compare the performance of trains. Numerical experiments indicate that the proposed solution approach to the adding train paths problem is promising.