TY - GEN A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - Strong Relaxations for the Train Timetabling Problem using Connected Configurations N2 - The task of the train timetabling problem or track allocation problem is to find conflict free schedules for a set of trains with predefined routes in a railway network. Especially for non-periodic instances models based on time expanded networks are often used. Unfortunately, the linear programming relaxation of these models is often extremely weak because these models do not describe combinatorial relations like overtaking possibilities very well. In this paper we extend the model by so called connected configuration subproblems. These subproblems perfectly describe feasible schedules of a small subset of trains (2-3) on consecutive track segments. In a Lagrangian relaxation approach we solve several of these subproblems together in order to produce solutions which consist of combinatorially compatible schedules along the track segments. The computational results on a mostly single track corridor taken from the INFORMS RAS Problem Solving Competition 2012 data indicate that our new solution approach is rather strong. Indeed, for this instance the solution of the Lagrangian relaxation is already integral. T3 - ZIB-Report - 17-46 Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-64743 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Schlechte, Thomas ED - D'Angelo, Gianlorenzo ED - Dollevoet, Twan T1 - Strong Relaxations for the Train Timetabling Problem using Connected Configurations T2 - 17th Workshop on Algorithmic Approaches for Transportation Modelling, Optimization, and Systems (ATMOS 2017) N2 - The task of the train timetabling problem or track allocation problem is to find conflict free schedules for a set of trains with predefined routes in a railway network. Especially for non-periodic instances models based on time expanded networks are often used. Unfortunately, the linear programming relaxation of these models is often extremely weak because these models do not describe combinatorial relations like overtaking possibilities very well. In this paper we extend the model by so called connected configuration subproblems. These subproblems perfectly describe feasible schedules of a small subset of trains (2-3) on consecutive track segments. In a Lagrangian relaxation approach we solve several of these subproblems together in order to produce solutions which consist of combinatorially compatible schedules along the track segments. The computational results on a mostly single track corridor taken from the INFORMS RAS Problem Solving Competition 2012 data indicate that our new solution approach is rather strong. Indeed, for this instance the solution of the Lagrangian relaxation is already integral. Y1 - 2017 SN - 978-3-95977-042-2 U6 - https://doi.org/10.4230/OASIcs.ATMOS.2017.11 VL - 59 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Grimm, Boris A1 - Klug, Torsten A1 - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - A Re-optimization Approach for Train Dispatching T2 - Operations Research Proceedings 2016 N2 - The Train Dispatching Problem (TDP) is to schedule trains through a network in a cost optimal way. Due to disturbances during operation existing track allocations often have to be re-scheduled and integrated into the timetable. This has to be done in seconds and with minimal timetable changes to guarantee smooth and conflict free operation. We present an integrated modeling approach for the re-optimization task using Mixed Integer Programming. Finally, we provide computational results for scenarios provided by the INFORMS RAS Problem Soling Competition 2012. Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55702-1_85 SP - 645 EP - 651 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - Comparing two dual relaxations of large scale train timetabling problems T2 - Proceedings of Conference on Advanced Systems in Public Transport 2015 N2 - Railway transportation and in particular train timetabling is one of the basic and source application areas of combinatorial optimization and integer programming. We will discuss two well established modeling techniques for the train timetabling problem. In this paper we focus on one major ingredient - the bounding by dual relaxations. We compare two classical dual relaxations of large scale time expanded train timetabling problems - the Lagrangean Dual and Lagrangean Decomposition. We discuss the convergence behavior and show limitations of the Lagrangean Decomposition approach for a configuration based model. We introduce a third dualization approach to overcome those limitations. Finally, we present promising preliminary computational experiments that show that our new approach indeed has superior convergence properties. Y1 - 2015 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Grimm, Boris A1 - Klug, Torsten A1 - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - A Re-optimization Approach for Train Dispatching N2 - The Train Dispatching Problem (TDP) is to schedule trains through a network in a cost optimal way. Due to disturbances during operation existing track allocations often have to be re-scheduled and integrated into the timetable. This has to be done in seconds and with minimal timetable changes to guarantee smooth and conflict free operation. We present an integrated modeling approach for the re-optimization task using Mixed Integer Programming. Finally, we provide computational results for scenarios provided by the INFORMS RAS Problem Soling Competition 2012. T3 - ZIB-Report - 16-49 Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-60493 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Caimi, Gabrio A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - Railway Track Allocation T2 - Handbook of Optimization in the Railway Industry N2 - This chapter addresses the classical task to decide which train runs on which track in a railway network. In this context a track allocation defines the precise routing of trains through a railway network, which usually has only a limited capacity. Moreover, the departure and arrival times at the visited stations of each train must simultaneously meet several operational and safety requirements. The problem to find the 'best possible' allocation for all trains is called the track allocation problem (TTP). Railway systems can be modeled on a very detailed scale covering the behavior of individual trains and the safety system to a large extent. However, those microscopic models are too big and not scalable to large networks, which make them inappropriate for mathematical optimization on a network wide level. Hence, most network optimization approaches consider simplified, so called macroscopic, models. In the first part we take a look at the challenge to construct a reliable and condensed macroscopic model for the associated microscopic model and to facilitate the transition between both models of different scale. In the main part we focus on the optimization problem for macroscopic models of the railway system. Based on classical graph-theoretical tools the track allocation problem is formulated to determine conflict-free paths in corresponding time-expanded graphs. We present standard integer programming model formulations for the track allocation problem that model resource or block conflicts in terms of packing constraints. In addition, we discuss the role of maximal clique inequalities and the concept of configuration networks. We will also present classical decomposition approaches like Lagrangian relaxation and bundle methods. Furthermore, we will discuss recently developed techniques, e.g., dynamic graph generation. Finally, we will discuss the status quo and show a vision of mathematical optimization to support real world track allocation, i.e. integrated train routing and scheduling, in a data-dominated and digitized railway future. Y1 - 2018 SN - 978-3-319-72152-1 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72153-8 VL - 268 SP - 141 EP - 160 PB - Springer International Publishing ER - TY - GEN A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - Comparing two dual relaxations of large scale train timetabling problems N2 - Railway transportation and in particular train timetabling is one of the basic and source application areas of combinatorial optimization and integer programming. We will discuss two well established modeling techniques for the train timetabling problem. In this paper we focus on one major ingredient - the bounding by dual relaxations. We compare two classical dual relaxations of large scale time expanded train timetabling problems - the Lagrangean Dual and Lagrangean Decomposition. We discuss the convergence behavior and show limitations of the Lagrangean Decomposition approach for a configuration based model. We introduce a third dualization approach to overcome those limitations. Finally, we present promising preliminary computational experiments that show that our new approach indeed has superior convergence properties. T3 - ZIB-Report - 15-43 Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-56068 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - BOOK A1 - Abbink, Erwin A1 - Bärmann, Andreas A1 - Bešinovic, Nikola A1 - Bohlin, Markus A1 - Cacchiani, Valentina A1 - Caimi, Gabrio A1 - de Fabris, Stefano A1 - Dollevoet, Twan A1 - Fischer, Frank A1 - Fügenschuh, Armin A1 - Galli, Laura A1 - Goverde, Rob M.P. A1 - Hansmann, Ronny A1 - Homfeld, Henning A1 - Huisman, Dennis A1 - Johann, Marc A1 - Klug, Torsten A1 - Törnquist Krasemann, Johanna A1 - Kroon, Leo A1 - Lamorgese, Leonardo A1 - Liers, Frauke A1 - Mannino, Carlo A1 - Medeossi, Giorgio A1 - Pacciarelli, Dario A1 - Reuther, Markus A1 - Schlechte, Thomas A1 - Schmidt, Marie A1 - Schöbel, Anita A1 - Schülldorf, Hanno A1 - Stieber, Anke A1 - Stiller, Sebastian A1 - Toth, Paolo A1 - Zimmermann, Uwe ED - Borndörfer, Ralf ED - Klug, Torsten ED - Lamorgese, Leonardo ED - Mannino, Carlo ED - Reuther, Markus ED - Schlechte, Thomas T1 - Handbook of Optimization in the Railway Industry N2 - This book promotes the use of mathematical optimization and operations research methods in rail transportation. The editors assembled thirteen contributions from leading scholars to present a unified voice, standardize terminology, and assess the state-of-the-art. There are three main clusters of articles, corresponding to the classical stages of the planning process: strategic, tactical, and operational. These three clusters are further subdivided into five parts which correspond to the main phases of the railway network planning process: network assessment, capacity planning, timetabling, resource planning, and operational planning. Individual chapters cover: Simulation Capacity Assessment Network Design Train Routing Robust Timetabling Event Scheduling Track Allocation Blocking Shunting Rolling Stock Crew Scheduling Dispatching Delay Propagation Y1 - 2018 SN - 978-3-319-72152-1 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72153-8 VL - 268 PB - Springer Verlag ER -