RTTP - The concept of a real time traffic plan. Supporting improved cooperation in train traffic control and operation.

The train traffic process is very complex and dynamic. Many different actors are involved. Efficient and timely traffic control and operation depend on cooperation, avoiding sub-optimization, exchanging important information... [ view full abstract ]

The train traffic process is very complex and dynamic. Many different actors are involved. Efficient and timely traffic control and operation depend on cooperation, avoiding sub-optimization, exchanging important information between actors and generating closed control loops. The train traffic system must be seen as socio-technical, where humans in different roles, technical and information systems must be organized and designed for optimal overall performance. Operational re-planning and control must be based on one common and continuously updated real-time traffic plan (RTTP), which in most situations can be automatically executed. This allows the IM’s control organization to focus on problem solving and to cooperate with internal and external actors. To solve the problem of future train driver advisory systems, supporting drivers to follow the RTTP, the concept of centrally guided train operation (CGTO) has been introduced. This is an example of how closed control loops can be generated. The paper will discuss such problems more in detail, and give some concrete examples of how future holistic solutions could be specified and developed.