Train Operation Intervals Optimization Based on a Group Dynamics Model

Train operation interval is a most important parameter in the railway management work and train dispatching work. It also determines the capacity of the railway sections. In this paper, a train interval optimization model based on group dynamics theory is proposed. It takes the potential energy of the artificial potential field as the optimization object, which is defined with the train operation interval. And the train operation rules, especially the intervals between arrivals and departures, are designed as the constraints of the model. An immune clone algorithm is designed to solve the model. A computing case is presented, and we got the optimal intervals of trains on the timetable. The computing case proves the effectiveness of the approach. This paper presents a new method to design train intervals for timetable designers and dispatchers.