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Scheduling Locomotives and Car Transfers in Freight Transport

Author

Listed:
  • Armin Fügenschuh

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Arbeitsgruppe Optimierung, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Henning Homfeld

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Arbeitsgruppe Optimierung, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Andreas Huck

    (Deutsche Bahn AG, Konzernentwicklung, 60326 Frankfurt, Germany)

  • Alexander Martin

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Arbeitsgruppe Optimierung, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Zhi Yuan

    (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Arbeitsgruppe Optimierung, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany)

Abstract

We present a new model for a strategic locomotive scheduling problem arising at the Deutsche Bahn AG. The model is based on a multicommodity minimum cost flow formulation that is also used for public bus scheduling problems. However, several new aspects have to be additionally taken into account such as cyclic departures of the trains, time windows on starting and arrival times, network load-dependent travel times, and a transfer of cars between trains. The model is formulated as an integer linear programming problem (ILP). The formulation is improved by preprocessing and additional cutting planes. Solutions are obtained using a randomized greedy heuristic in combination with commercial ILP solvers. Computational results are presented for several real-world test instances.

Suggested Citation

  • Armin Fügenschuh & Henning Homfeld & Andreas Huck & Alexander Martin & Zhi Yuan, 2008. "Scheduling Locomotives and Car Transfers in Freight Transport," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(4), pages 478-491, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ortrsc:v:42:y:2008:i:4:p:478-491
    DOI: 10.1287/trsc.1080.0248
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ravindra K. Ahuja & Jian Liu & James B. Orlin & Dushyant Sharma & Larry A. Shughart, 2005. "Solving Real-Life Locomotive-Scheduling Problems," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 39(4), pages 503-517, November.
    2. Jean-François Cordeau & Paolo Toth & Daniele Vigo, 1998. "A Survey of Optimization Models for Train Routing and Scheduling," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(4), pages 380-404, November.
    3. Koorush Ziarati & François Soumis & Jacques Desrosiers & Marius M. Solomon, 1999. "A Branch-First, Cut-Second Approach for Locomotive Assignment," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 45(8), pages 1156-1168, August.
    4. Ravindra K. Ahuja & Krishna C. Jha & Jian Liu, 2007. "Solving Real-Life Railroad Blocking Problems," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 37(5), pages 404-419, October.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Scheffler, Martin & Neufeld, Janis S. & Hölscher, Michael, 2020. "An MIP-based heuristic solution approach for the locomotive assignment problem focussing on (dis-)connecting processes," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 64-80.
    2. Haahr, Jørgen T. & Wagenaar, Joris C. & Veelenturf, Lucas P. & Kroon, Leo G., 2016. "A comparison of two exact methods for passenger railway rolling stock (re)scheduling," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 15-32.
    3. Prashant Premkumar & P. N. Ram Kumar, 2022. "Locomotive assignment problem: integrating the strategic, tactical and operational level aspects," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 315(2), pages 867-898, August.
    4. Ralf Borndörfer & Torsten Klug & Thomas Schlechte & Armin Fügenschuh & Thilo Schang & Hanno Schülldorf, 2016. "The Freight Train Routing Problem for Congested Railway Networks with Mixed Traffic," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(2), pages 408-423, May.
    5. Prashant Premkumar & P. N. Ram Kumar, 2019. "Literature Review of Locomotive Assignment Problem from Service Operations Perspective: The Case of Indian Railways," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 8(1), pages 74-86, January.

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