Reliability evaluation of rail freight transport processes — An agent-based approach combining microscopic rail simulation and freight network logistics

In densely operated European railway networks the trade-off between network utilization and service quality leads to pondering traffic volume against the reliability of services. The perspective on service reliability, however, tends to vary between stakeholders. In this paper, we investigate and assess reliability in railway networks, particularly focusing on the comparison between railway operators and users in freight transport systems: While operators mainly focus on the punctuality of trains, users typically perceive reliability on the level of transportation chains. To combine both perspectives, a new agent-based simulation approach is developed that combines a microscopic domain-specific traffic control simulation incorporating the essential properties of the signaling system with a logistical perspective featuring the flow of goods within the network. The study outlines the methodical steps of model-setup, as well as the implementation on the backbone of an agent-based, open-source simulation environment. The methodology is applied to the German railway network and effects on the two different reliability perspectives are assessed and compared. A significant deviation of transport reliability from train punctuality is observed, highlighting the benefit of incorporating the end-customer perspective in reliability evaluation. It is also found that higher amounts of segments per transportation chain lead to significantly lower reliability. • New agent-based logistical railway simulation methodology. • Railway reliability evaluation for both trains and transportation chains. • Combination of a rail-specific train control simulation with a logistical perspective. • Significant deviation of transport reliability from train punctuality. • Reliability effect of transport segmentation, delay variation and distance assessed.