2.1 Starting a Train Service
In the first hour, we will start by examining what is needed to connect two cities. Next, the market, infrastructure, operational staff and energy consumption will all be addressed. We will also consider the costs that this entails. The importance of the timetable will be explained through the Cascade Model that was introduced in the first week.
2.2 Purpose of a Timetable
Timetables not only guide railway parties but also provide a way to convert market demand into supply for both passengers and transporters. In this hour, this and other purposes of timetables are covered. On top of design principles, components and attributes behind timetables, the concept of corridor drive will also be explained.
2.3 Frequency and Capacity
An important part of scheduling development is determining the investment necessary. In this hour, a method to make the timetable design choices more objective is proposed. Different levels of abstraction for capacity are covered and a focus is set on frequency. You will be asked to apply a provided method to a scenario where a city has decided to build a second station.
2.4 Structure and Design
When designing a timetable, different processes have to be considered. Processes like train running/driving, passenger dwelling, and train separation. In this hour, you will take a closer look at the timetable design’s more technical aspects. The time-distance diagram plays an important role in this. A double-track bridge will be used as an example to illustrate the importance of an accurate definition of interval times and the buffer used for them. Finally, the influence of stakeholders on timetables is discussed.
2.5 Constructing a Timetable
The construction of timetables consists of different phases and processes. In this hour, we distinguish between short term focus and the long-time focus. Furthermore, we examine different approaches to making a timetable and analyze the different phases within timetable design. If you want to know how your timetable design works in practice, whether your methods predict punctuality or if you want to discover weak design spots, you will need to validate the timetable after running it. Several methods to validate timetable designs will be given.
