Capacity analysis of suburban rail networks

As well known, capacity evaluation and the identification of bottlenecks on rail networks are complex issues depending upon several technical elements. This is even more perceptible in metropolitan areas where different services (freight, long distance, metro/regional, etc.) are operated using the same limited infrastructures; as a consequence these facilities may represent bottlenecks of the rail system since they are often highly utilized and congested. This contribution tries to explore the issue of capacity evaluation of complex rail networks, proposing synthetic indicators and analyses for feasibility studies or strategic planning. The presented methodology suggests to take in account the main differences in infrastructure characteristics (e.g. single or double lines, signalling systems, terminus or passing stations, etc.) and rail services (e.g. diverse rolling stock, various frequencies, average distances and number of stops, etc.) in order to propose a general approach applicable for capacity analysis of a network as a whole, hence evaluating the utilization rate and the congestion on both lines and stations. To better explore and validate the methodology, an application to a line of the Naples’s suburban network is presented. The results confirm the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach; the outcomes indicate the capacity utilization rate of the considered facilities, pointing out likely bottlenecks and possible actions to improve the system efficiency.

ROTOLI Francesco;  MALAVASI Gabriele;  RICCI Stefano;  NAVAJAS CAWOOD Elena;  IBANEZ RIVAS Juan Nicolas; 

2017-01-17

WIT PRESS

JRC102628

1743-3509,   

https://www.witpress.com/elibrary/wit-transactions-on-the-built-environment/162/35610,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC102628,   

10.2495/CR160111,