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Reinventing Crew Scheduling at Netherlands Railways

Author

Listed:
  • Fischetti, M.
  • Kroon, L.G.
  • Timmer, G.
  • Vromans, M.J.C.M.
  • Abbink, E.J.W.

Abstract

In this paper we describe the successful application of a sophisticated Operations Research model and the corresponding solution techniques for scheduling the 6,500+ drivers and conductors of the Dutch railway operator NS Reizigers (Netherlands Railways). In 2001 the drivers and conductors were very dissatisfied with the structure of their duties, which led to nation wide strikes. However, the application of the model described in this paper led to the development of an alternative production model (‘Sharing Sweet & Sour’) that both satisfied the drivers and conductors, and at the same time supported an increment of the punctuality and efficiency of the railway services. The plans produced according to the alternative production model trimmed personnel costs by about $4.8million (or1.2%) per year. Moreover, it was shown that cost reductions of over $7 million per year are also achievable.

Suggested Citation

  • Fischetti, M. & Kroon, L.G. & Timmer, G. & Vromans, M.J.C.M. & Abbink, E.J.W., 2004. "Reinventing Crew Scheduling at Netherlands Railways," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2004-046-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    • Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:1427
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karla L. Hoffman & Manfred Padberg, 1993. "Solving Airline Crew Scheduling Problems by Branch-and-Cut," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 39(6), pages 657-682, June.
    2. Alberto Caprara & Matteo Fischetti & Paolo Toth, 1999. "A Heuristic Method for the Set Covering Problem," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 47(5), pages 730-743, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dennis Huisman & Leo G. Kroon & Ramon M. Lentink & Michiel J. C. M. Vromans, 2005. "Operations Research in passenger railway transportation," Statistica Neerlandica, Netherlands Society for Statistics and Operations Research, vol. 59(4), pages 467-497, November.
    2. Breugem, T. & Dollevoet, T.A.B. & Huisman, D., 2019. "A Column Generation Approach for the Integrated Crew Re-Planning Problem," Econometric Institute Research Papers EI2019-31, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Econometric Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Railway transportation; crew scheduling; efficiency; punctuality and crew; set covering model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • M - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics
    • M11 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Production Management
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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