A Decision Support System for Train Dispatching: An Optimization-Based Methodology

Abstract

This paper presents a new methodological framework for the development and use of computer-aided train dispatching (CAD) systems. After reviewing the current state-of-the-art in CAD and arguing that most systems attempt to minimize the wrong objective function, this paper presents through use of examples the application of recently developed optimization algorithms for the dispatching problem. These examples highlight the need to focus on the adherence to schedules as the main objective of a CAD system, and show that these new algorithms can be quite efficient in practice.