PLANNING AUSTRALIAN FREIGHT RAIL OPERATIONS: AN OVERVIEW

Luis FERREIRA

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1997

Subject Area

infrastructure - track, land use - planning, mode - rail

Keywords

Train operation, Train handling, Track rehabilitation, Track maintenance, Single track, Rail maintenance, Maintenance of way, Freight trains, Australia

Abstract

After a brief outline of freight rail operations planning, this paper reviews the research and development of optimization and simulation tools to undertake train planning, train and locomotive scheduling, as well as track maintenance planning. Although optimum solutions can be obtained using such tools, they have not been widely embraced by rail organizations. The simplifying assumptions made by most models make their practical application difficult to achieve. While drawing on overseas research, the paper focuses mainly on the Australian experience for operations planning practice. The paper summarizes some of the requirements for track maintenance planning, and describes a model designed to optimize the location of sidings on a single track corridor.

Comments

Transportation Research Part A Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564

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