Towards Optimal Train Routing Using Microscopic Simulation on Moving Block Controlled Networks

The demand for sustainable railway transportation is increasing over time.At the same time, the capacity of railway networks is limited.Hence, efficient algorithms for generating optimal timetables are of great interest.Previous research focuses on trains being separated by classical fixed block signaling systems.With modern control systems based on moving block, e.g., within the European Train Control System (ETCS), the principles of safely separating trains change significantly.Only limited research on optimal routing on such modern railway networks exists.With this work, we propose a simulation approach tailored to be used with heuristic optimization algorithms to tackle this problem.Moreover, we show how such a framework can allow for more general inputs to jointly optimize what is usually planned sequentially as of today.The simulation framework is included within the open-source Munich Train Control Toolkit (MTCT) available on GitHub at https://github.com/cda-tum/mtct.