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Transit Scheduling Systems Optimize Operations
No. 2: Run Curves and Timetables (2)
This article discusses one of the processes of transit scheduling, namely, timetabling.
Timetables is the base of train operations
A train timetable is an operation plan describing the train schedules and their arrival and departure times at each station, and are generally designed to meet varying passenger demand in different times (link to No. 2) . Timetables familiar to most people are represented in their tabular forms, while timetables used by transit schedulers are usually represented in its "stringline diagram" form.
Train operations can not be fully described by run curve data alone, since the run curve indicates only the speeds and times between stations for a single train. There are numerous operating conditions, such as train service frequency, train types, stopping patterns, overtaking, and so on, which needs to be considered in the timetabling phase. This is why timetables are necessary to represent the overall service plan of multiple trains that operate throughout the day.
Vehicle scheduling (or blocking) is an important part of the timetabling process where trains are connected together in order to form workable schedules (or duties/blocks) for trainsets. The number of vehicles schedules produced determines the number of trainsets that will be necessary in order to operate the timetable.
As mentioned above, timetables must incorporate all sorts of conditions pertaining to train operations. As it requires finding the best solution from an endless number of combinations, it can be an overwhelming task. Even if it would take a long time to create a timetable, it would often be ruined if a new condition is added or the number of trains is slightly increased. This tedious work used to be done by hand or with spreadsheet software, but computerized scheduling systems relieve schedulers of these time-consuming tasks and accelerates timetable creation.
Even if timetabling is finished, crew would still be necessary operate the scheduled trains. The next article will introduce the concept of crew duty scheduling.
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