The overall aim of this thesis is to analyse the robustness of railway traffic timetables; why delays are propagating in the network and how the timetable design and dispatching strategies influence the delays. In this context we want to establish quantitative measures of timetable robustness. There is a need for measures that can be used by the timetable constructors. Measures that identify where and how to improve the robustness and thereby indicating how and where margin time should be inserted. It is also important that the measures can capture interdependencies between different trains.

With increase in the use of railway transport, ensuring robustness in railway timetables has never been this important. In a dense railway timetable even a small disturbance can propagate easily and affect trains' arrival and departure times. In a robust timetable small delays are absorbed and knock-on effects are prevented effectively. The aim of this thesis is to study how optimization tools can support the generation of robust railway traffic timetables. We address two Train Timetabling Problems (TTP) and for both problems we apply Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to solve them from network management perspectives. The first problem is how robustness in a given timetable can be assessed and ensured. To tackle this problem, a headway-based method is introduced. The proposed method is implemented in real timetables and evaluated from performance perspectives. Furthermore, the impact of the proposed method on capacity utilization, heterogeneity and the speed of trains, is monitored. Results show that the proposed method can improve robustness without imposing major changes in timetables. The second problem addressed in the thesis is how robustness can be assessed and maintained in a given timetable when allocating additional traffic and maintenance slots. Different insertion strategies are studied and their consequences on capacity utilization and on the properties of the timetables are analyzed. Two different insertion strategies are considered: i) simultaneous and ii) stepwise insertion. The results show that inserting the additional trains simultaneously usually results in generating more optimal solutions. However, solving this type of problem is computationally challenging. We also observed that the existing robustness metrics cannot capture the essential properties of having more robust timetables. Therefore we proposed measuring Channel Width, Channel Width Forward, Channel Width Behind and Track Switching. Furthermore, the experimental analysis of the applied MILP model shows that some cases are computationally hard to solve and there is a need to decrease the computation time. Hence several valid inequalities are developed and their effects on the computation time are analyzed. This thesis contains three papers which are appended. The results of this thesis are of special interests for railway traffic planners and it would support their working process. However, railway traffic operators and passengers also benefit from this study.

The book comprises a number of research papers presented at several Computers in Railways Conferences. It has been compiled by Ingo A. Hansen, President of the International Association of Railway Operations Research (IAROR) and comprises selected papers originating from different countries, such as Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. The papers give an overview of the current state-of-the-art analytical approaches, methods and simulation tools for the modelling and analysis of network timetables, the distribution of train delays and real-time rescheduling of perturbed operations. The topics include e.g. railway capacity estimation according to the UIC norm 406, train punctuality analysis based on standard track occupation and clearance data, and boarding, alighting and distribution of passengers along suburban trains, as well as fast recognition and resolution of conflicts between train movements in case of disturbances by means of real-time speed adaptation, re-ordering or re-routing. The book can serve as an introduction to the theory of railway traffic, timetable design, operations analysis, simulation, safety and control for Master and PhD students from engineering faculties and professionals working in the railway industry.

This book updates the use of computer-based techniques, promoting their general awareness throughout the business management, design, manufacture and operation of railways and other advanced passenger, freight and transit systems. Including papers from the Tenth International Conference on Computer System Design and Operation in the Railway and Other Transit Systems, the book will be of interest to railway management, consultants, railway engineers (including signal and control engineers), designers of advanced train control systems and computer specialists. Themes of interest include: Planning; Human Factors; Computer Techniques, Management and languages; Decision Support Systems; Systems Engineering; Electromagnetic Compatibility and Lightning; Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS); Freight; Advanced Train Control; Train Location; CCTV/Communications; Operations Quality; Timetables; Traffic Control; Global Navigation using Satellite Systems; Online Scheduling and Dispatching; Dynamics and Wheel/Rail Interface; Power Supply; Traction and Maglev; Obstacle Detection and Collision Analysis; Railway Security.

Containing the proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Design and Operation in Railway Engineering, this book presents the latest developments in the use of computer-based techniques in the design and operation of railways. The COMPRAIL conference series serves as the forum for major advances in this important field. The book covers such topics as Advanced Train Control; Planning; Timetable Planning; Rescheduling; Risk Management; Safety and Security; Maglev and High-speed Railways; Traffic Control and Safety of High-speed Railways; Metro and Other Transit Systems; Communications and Signalling; Energy Supply and Consumption; Driverless and Automatic Train Operation; Operations Quality; Computer Techniques and Simulations; Railway Vehicle Dynamics; Dynamics and Wheel/Rail Interface; Monitoring and Maintenance; Crack, Damage and Fatigue Problems.The book will be of interest to railway managers, consultants, railway engineers (including signal and control engineers), designers of advanced train control systems and computer specialists