Lin, Z and Kwan, RSK (2016) A branch-and-price approach for solving the train unit scheduling problem. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 94. pp. 97-120. ISSN 0191-2615
Abstract
We propose a branch-and-price approach for solving the integer multicommodity flow model for the network-level train unit scheduling problem (TUSP). Given a train operator’s fixed timetable and a fleet of train units of different types, the TUSP aims at determining an assignment plan such that each train trip in the timetable is appropriately covered by a single or coupled train units. The TUSP is challenging due to its complex nature. Our branch-and-price approach includes a branching system with multiple branching rules for satisfying real-world requirements that are difficult to realize by linear constraints, such as unit type coupling compatibility relations and locations banned for coupling/decoupling. The approach also benefits from an adaptive node selection method, a column inheritance strategy and a feature of estimated upper bounds with node reservation functions. The branch-and-price solver designed for TUSP is capable of handling instances of up to about 500 train trips. Computational experiments were conducted based on real-world problem instances from First ScotRail. The results are satisfied by rail practitioners and are generally competitive or better than the manual ones.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Transportation Research Part B: Methodological. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Rolling stock scheduling; Train unit scheduling; Integer multicommodity flow problems; Branch-and-price |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Computing (Leeds) > Institute for Computational and Systems Science (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number EPSRC EP/M007243/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 29 Sep 2016 09:18 |
Last Modified: | 11 Jan 2023 10:56 |
Published Version: | https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2016.09.007 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.trb.2016.09.007 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:105182 |