Railway Capacity Management

Railway Capacity

• Used Capacity: actual traffic volume over the network, usually lower than practical capacity
• Practical Capacity: around 60-75% of theoretical capacity
• Available Capacity: difference between Used Capacity and Practical Capacity, indicating additional trains that can be handled by the network

Railway Operation Result

• Operating Days: actual data
• Km.Train Run: actual data (North Ave - Taft), 16.9 km
• Train Km: Km Train Run x No. of Trip
• Car Km: Km Train Run x No. of Car
• Revenue: actual data or (Fare Rate / Km) x (Pax.Km)
• Seat-Km Offering: Train Cap. x Train Km
• No. of Pax: actual data or (Pax./Km) x (Ave. Distance Travelled/Pax)
• Pax./Km: LF x Seat-Km Off. or No. of Pax x Avg. Distance Travelled
• Load Factor: Pax-Km/Seat-Km Off. Ave. Distance Travelled
• Avg. Distance Travelled: (Revenue/Pax)/Fare Rate

Railway Capacity Analysis

• Synthetic and analytical methods: use mathematical formulae to describe capacity constraints
• Asynchronous methods: model dynamic scheduling processes using discontinuous events
• Synchronous methods (traffic simulation): reproduce railway operation processes over time, providing values close to reality
• OpenTrack: a railway network simulation program for capacity estimation and analysis
• RailSys: a software system for analysis, planning, and optimization of railway operations
• Rail Traffic Controller (RTC): a Windows-based program for simulating train movement through rail networks

Railway Structure

• Track carrying structures: bridges, trestles, viaducts, culverts, scales, inspection pits, unloading pits
• Ancillary structures: drainage structures, retaining walls, tunnels, snow sheds, repair shops, loading docks, passenger stations, fueling facilities, towers, catenary frames

Operations Management

• Operations management: managing business operations to ensure efficiency and product delivery
• Functions: product design, forecasting, supply chain management, delivery management
• Ideal skills: organizational abilities, coordination, people skills, tech-savviness

Vehicle Technologies

• Electric vehicles (EVs): powered by electric motors, using batteries charged through central charging stations or portable chargers
• Issues: cost, infrastructure, performance
• Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs): combine electric motor and battery pack with internal combustion engine
• Plug-in hybrid vehicles: allow for external charging
• Fuel cell vehicles: use hydrogen as fuel

Ways for Improvement

• Component technologies: advanced components reduce friction, decrease vehicle weight, and improve system efficiency
• Lightweight materials: reduce vehicle weight without compromising passenger safety
• Decreased resistance: reduce wind resistance through aerodynamic design and regenerative braking systems

Learn about the different measures of capacity in railway operation, including practical capacity, used capacity, and available capacity.