Overcoming Capacity Constraints - A Simulation Integrated with Optimisation for Nodes (OCCASION)

The OCCASION project brings together the University of Southampton's expertise in railway simulation and control (Transportation Research Group) with more generic expertise in operational research (Centre for Operational Research, Management Science and Information Systems). This project will identify and assess innovative approaches to overcoming nodal capacity constraints by examining the scope for technological improvements and operational changes. Although the emphasis is on modelling, it will also cover technological and operational issues. This will include examination of incremental changes, such as improved design of points, changes in signal spacing and overlaps, but also more radical changes including concepts from other modes (e.g. intelligent speed adaptation) and a relaxation of the Rules of the Route/Plan. We will adopt a layered approach by examining nodes of increasing complexity on the South West Main Line before developing a detailed case study of Reading station and its approaches. Our methodology will consist of four main elements. Firstly, we will provide a state of the art review which will examine how nodal capacity problems have been tackled to date in Britain and overseas. We will also examine systematic approaches to innovative problem solving, as proposed by the TRIZ methodology and general systems theory. Second, we will develop a generic meso-level model and simulation tool, based on RailSys, which will determine train routeings and schedules, levels of disruption and reactionary delay and measures of capacity utilisation at nodes. Third, we will develop a micro-level optimisation by applying production scheduling techniques to rail scheduling, and by specifically investigating shifting bottleneck procedures and local search approaches. Fourth, we will integrate the simulation and optimisation models by using a multi-commodity integer programming formulation to examine cost versus service quality trade-offs, using techniques we have previously applied to rail freight. This will be used to determine the most effective technological solutions (including enhancements to signalling, switches and crossings) and operational solutions (including dynamic traffic management). In undertaking this work, we will be assisted by our industrial partners, Arup (operations) and Balfour Beatty Rail (technology). Arup will also use the Legion simulation model to determine the extent that pedestrian movements within the station may constrain the scheduling of trains through the station. Our key outputs will be prototype software tools that will assess the extent to which nodal capacity can be increased. This could be subsequently applied to other bottlenecks on the National Rail network. An advice guide would also be produced on measures to overcome capacity constraints at nodes.

There will be a large number of potential beneficiaries of this research outside of the academic research community. This includes rail industry bodies such as the Association of Train Operating Companies, Network Rail and the supply industry, represented by the Railway Industry Association. It also includes public sector bodies such as the Department of Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation. At the international level, beneficiaries might include members of the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE). For our Reading case study, beneficiaries will include local stakeholders such as Reading Borough Council, the South East England Development Agency and First Great Western. The two research fellows and the two research students we propose to involve in this proposal are also potential beneficiaries, along with some students on three related Masters courses. These benefits will mainly arise from the prototype modelling toolbox, and related documentation, which will be developed within this proposal. The toolbox will be able to indicate for any node of the rail network the extent to which capacity can be increased and/or capacity better utilised through technological improvements (particularly to signalling, switches and crossings) and operational changes. For our case study at Reading, we will make specific recommendations as to how the benefits from the proposed infrastructure investments can be maximised through complementary technological and operational measures. Our communications and engagement strategy will include two stakeholder workshops and a final dissemination event and a project website. We will employ clerical support to assist us in this. We will develop links with the Technology Strategy Advisory Group and the Advisory Group on Rail Research and Innovation in the UK and overseas bodies such as the Korea Railroad Research Institute, the JR Railway Technical Research Institute and the Association of American Railroad's Transportation Technology Center. We also propose an international expert panel of internationally leading Professors from Germany (Pachl), the Netherlands (Hansen) and the US (Barken). We will attend academic and industry focused conferences and seminars, publish in the academic and the trade press and produce a research monograph at the end of the project. We will engage with the relevant professional institutions and with the existing Knowledge Transfer Network in transport. We will develop collaboration agreements with our existing industrial partners, Arup and Balfour Beatty Rail. To exploit the modelling toolbox we will consider Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer Secondments, based on the experience of Professor Chris Potts who has developed links with Logical Transport Ltd to develop resource scheduling applications. All those involved in this proposal will engage in impact activities, with appropriate support from the University of Southampton. We also propose to collaborate with other EPSRC/RSSB projects awarded as a result of this, and related, calls.