Artificial neural network as a support of platform track assignment within simulation models reflecting passenger railway stations

Simulation models reflecting the operation of transportation systems are supposed to utilize an appropriate realization of decision-making procedures. The formation or selection of adequate modelling approaches and methodologies has to be done in this context. Attention is paid to a specific operational problem related to the assignment of platform tracks to delayed arriving trains within simulation models of passenger railway stations. The application of a two-layered artificial neural network as a decision-making support associated with the mentioned assignment problem was investigated. The neural network reached very encouraging results with regard to the studied problem, which enables its profitable utilization. It means, in fact, that the quality of relevant simulation models rises and the consequent credibility of corresponding simulation studies for railway companies should be increased.