A multi-modal evacuation-based response strategy for mitigating disruption in an intercity railway system

•A bi-objective bi-level optimization for multi-modal evacuation scheduling and routing following a rail disruption•A hybrid NSGA-II and ant colony optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the model•A case study applies three transit-based strategies on a high-speed railway disruption on the Beijing-Hebei metropolitan corridor High-speed railway, the backbone for the multi-modal corridor of metropolitan areas, stimulates intercity commute and travel. With growing intercity railway demand, the risk of in-station congestion and passenger anxiety should be taken seriously after rail disruptions. This research defines an evacuation planning problem for stranded passengers along the interrupted line which is regarded to be in series and growing with time. The proposed multi-modal evacuation-based approach responds to the risk of in-station congestion and reflects the mitigation efficiency of investing in multi-modal schedules. The post-disruption transit system for evacuation is formulated by demand, operation, routing, and transfers, upon which the bi-objective bi-level optimization model for multi-modal scheduling and routing is based. A hybrid NSGA-II and ant colony optimization algorithm are proposed to solve the model. A case study applies three transit-based response strategies on a high-speed railway disruption on the Beijing-Hebei metropolitan corridor. Results show that proposed strategy provides a lower level of risk with acceptable cost and evacuation equilibrium points relative to other strategies, and differentiate transit passengers in groups resulting in less delay and left quantity. With the investment in capacity on high-speed modes, like helicopters and high-speed trains, the evacuation speed for both pick-up and travel is increased, and the evacuated quantity is improved.