A Freight Train Optimized Scheduling Scheme Based on an Improved GJO Algorithm

With the advancement of China’s industrialization, demand for express freight transportation has been rising. However, high-speed rail freight faces challenges, such as relatively low transport efficiency and lower revenues, compared with air and road modes. To address these issues, this paper focuses on freight train operations. First, it analyzes key influencing factors, including operating costs and benefits. Next, it conducts a comprehensive assessment of train consist capacity, freight node capacity, transport demand, and the number of freight services, and formulates an operational planning model that maximizes rail revenue, minimizes intermediate stops, and satisfies freight demand. Finally, an Improved Golden Jackal Optimization–based Genetic Algorithm (IGJOGA) is proposed to solve the model. Simulation results indicate that IGJOGA achieves higher solution efficiency than a traditional genetic algorithm for the freight train operation planning problem, and the results can provide a practical reference for freight train set operation schemes.