Min-Max Approach for High-Speed Train Scheduling and Rescheduling Models

The definition of train scheduling is going to shift its current static approach, as generally resulting in a timetable, towards a dynamic approach where the timetable can be modified in order to enhance the satisfaction of passengers' demand. In this paper, demand-oriented scheduling and rescheduling models are formalized in order to propose a dynamic timetable that can be modified to satisfy groups of passengers. More specifically, the assessment is based on a min max method. The proposed approach allows the definition of the train timetables for scheduling rail services along a multiline rail network according to operational constraints related to train capacity, train speed limits, passenger's train transfers, possible conflict in the track section use, with the main objective to minimize the travel time of a set of passengers' groups. The timetable resulted by the scheduling problem have been used as the input to a rescheduling model where predefined disturbances have been assumed to some nodes of the network. The proposed models are applied to the real case study of the rail network for high-speed trains in the Northern Italy.