Freight Traffic Distribution Under Conditions of Limited Capacity of Railway Sections

Abstract The research aims to enhance methods for distributing freight flows across a railway network to ensure unhindered access to public railway transportation services for shippers. The study was conducted using the methodological framework of railway operation theory in conjunction with operations research methods. During the research, a method for distributing freight flows across a railway network, taking into account capacity constraints of specific sections, as well as a method for allocating additional transportation costs among shippers, is proposed. The originality of the research lies in improving the methodology for distributing freight flows across railway networks under capacity constraints. The proposed method makes it possible to consider the interests of individual shippers when using public railway transport by identifying sections with capacity constraints and adjusting tariff distances accordingly. The applied relevance is confirmed by the fact that implementing the results can improve methods of organizing wagon flows and determining freight tariffs, taking into account the interests of both railways and their customers.