A significant number of problems and associated additional expenses emerge for operators due to imperfections in the existing technology of operational planning of the functioning of railroad transport as a part of the intermodal transportation system. The source of problems is not only the process of transportation of containers by rail but also the processes that occur immediately before and after it. These processes are uncertain because of their probabilistic nature. Their random nature provokes additional idle time of rolling stock, causes additional operator expenses, and reduces the quality of customer service. However, the direct influence on them is very difficult or economically inexpedient.The study shows that taking into account the probabilistic nature of these processes to reduce their negative impact is most effective precisely at the stage of operational planning of the functioning of railroad enterprises involved in the intermodal transportation process. One should note that it is necessary to take into account random factors of processes of formation and processing of container trains at stations, their movement along sections and transfer to a port simultaneously in order to improve the quality of such planning. However, the arrival of containers at terminal railroad stations requires special attention.It has been proven that the key to the solution to the problem of synchronization of the processes is the formation of automated technology for the organization of the transportation of containers by railroad.We have formalized the technological process of formation and movement of container trains to seaports in the form of a model of stochastic optimization using a mathematical apparatus from the theory of point processes for this purpose. The optimization criterion for this model represents the operating expenses of an operator for the organization of the railroad part of intermodal transportation. The stochastic nature of the model gives a possibility to find the optimal parameters of the operational plan for the organization of container transportation while controlling a level of certainty in the possibility of implementation of the plan taking into account the probabilistic nature of the constituent processes.Based on the developed model, software was created in the MATLAB programming environment and an automated technology for moving container trains was formed. The application of the proposed model in the formation of railroad container transportation technology could reduce operating expenses of a railroad part of intermodal container transportation by at least 10 %

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Devising an Automated Technology to Organize the Railroad Transportation of Containers for Intermodal Deliveries Based on the Theory of Point Processes

Purpose. The scientific paper involves formalizing the process of building a plan for the operational work of the marshalling yard in the conditions of processing carloads with dangerous goods. The developed mathematical model is implemented in the form of an intelligent planning system that will minimize both operational costs and technological risks during the work of the marshalling yard. Methodology. Based on the analysis of modern approaches to the management of transport systems under risk conditions, a mathematical model has been formed that includes the objective function of technological costs associated with all the main technological operations that are performed at the marshalling yard: reception, disbanding, form and departure of trains, accumulation of cars, processing of trains containing cars with dangerous goods, operations with local cars. In addition, the model also contains an objective function of the risk exposure, which also requires minimization in order to minimize the risk of accidents and their consequences when operating cars with dangerous goods. The model should be optimized under certain conditions that correspond to the technological features of the marshalling yard and which were formalized as a system of constraints. Optimization of the model is proposed to be carried out using methods of multiobjective optimization based on a genetic algorithm of a special type. Findings. A mathematical model is created that allows in an automated mode to build an operational plan for a marshalling yard operation with simultaneous consideration of two criteria: operational costs and risk exposure. The model was implemented as part of the created software product with the use of which the simulation was carried out. Originality. An intelligent planning technology has been developed that uses multiobjective optimization methods and allows finding a compromise solution while taking into account both the criterion of operational expenses and the risk exposure one in the conditions of handling carloads with dangerous goods. Practical value. During the simulation it was revealed that the effectiveness of the proposed technology of intelligent planning based on the developed model in comparison with the traditional planning technology is about 6.5% by the criterion of operating costs and about 8% by the criterion of the risk exposure.

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Intelligent control of marshalling yards at transportation of dangerous goods based on multiobjective optimization

To develop the most universal model for controlling the duration of the elements of the time spent by wagons at the sorting station. The methods of system analysis are used, comparing the performance of the sorting station, mathematical modeling. The concept of explicit and latent losses is introduced when processing wagons at the sorting station. The analysis of the existing standardization method for the time spent by the wagons and its disadvantage is carried out. A method of mathematical modeling of losses in the process of processing wagons at the sorting station was developed. The developed model makes it possible to evaluate the fulfillment of each element of the time that the wagons are at the sorting station and form statistical patterns of their non-fulfillment, and also makes it possible to develop action plans to reduce losses in the processing of wagon flows.

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Modeling of unproductive losses in the operation of a sorting station

Purpose. The work is aimed to investigate the feasibility of transferring automatic control to low-density stations of the sections (according to the principle of supervisory control of trainline) to the operators at principal stations. Methodology. The article analyzes the work of heavy traffic sections of the Ukrainian Railways JSC. It was found out that the information workload of dispatchers who control the train movement at the sections of the main course, constantly exceeds the permissible level. The possibility of using the technology of supervisory control of train movement by the introduction of operational zones has been investigated. Findings. The authors found out that the capacity of receiving and departure tracks at the stations of the sections is extremely limited. The occupancy of run-around tracks by the out-of-work trains hinders any regulatory measures at the sections. Trains pass one after another without giving priority, that is, they pass through the section in the order in which they entered it. Due to the limited number of tracks at the pre-section intermediate station, freight trains are placed for run-around by the passenger ones at the distant approaches. This leads to a loss of service speed and reduces the level of utilization of the sections` working capacity. The introduction of operational zones will significantly reduce information flows and facilitate the work of the train dispatchers, create the necessary conditions for creative decision-making on the inter-sectional regulation, and will contribute to increase in the service speed of trains. Originality. The article developed a new technology to improve the management of train sections by dividing them into operational zones. In each zone, consisting of two or three run-arounds, the duty officer of the principal station, performing in this case the functions of the train dispatcher, can control the train movement. Practical value. It has been proposed to put trains from technical stations that idle due to uneven movement, especially the trains from the terminal stations (division points) of the locomotive circulation sections, to reserve routes of the pre-section intermediate stations. Laying the reserve tracks and their maintenance, taking into account the periodicity of use and reduced permissible speed, can be allowed according to less tight standards for the construction of the roadbed, ballast section, sleeper density, taking into account the use of switches and decommissioned tracks.

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Improvement of supervisory control of train movement by means of introduction of operational zones

Purpose. The tasks of selecting the optimal modes of mutual operation of the public and non-public tracks are particularly relevant in the context of increasing the share of private cars. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to develop an approach to the justification of the choice of the interaction mode between mainline and industrial railway transport from the position of cars distribution sent to parking between public and non-public railway tracks. Me-thodology. To achieve this purpose, authors used the methods of scientific analysis and synthesis, graph theory, as well as experimental and statistical methods of modeling. Findings. Dependence of the required capacity of railway tracks was obtained. It takes into account the share of private cars in the general park arriving at places of non-public use. We proposed a scheme for choosing the place of location of cars to justify the choice of the mode of interaction between the main and industrial railway transport, taking into account the available track equipment and the expediency of its further development. Originality. The task in this formulation has not been solved to date, which determines the relevance and originality of research in this direction. The resulting formula for determining the required capacity of railway tracks takes into account the influence of the random nature of servicing of private conveyances at places of non-public use, as well as the share of carriages of consignors, consignees in the general park. We proposed the method for choosing the location of private rolling stock, used to justify the choice of the mode of interaction between the main and industrial railway transport, taking into account the available track equipment and the expediency of its further development. A distinctive feature of the presented method is the consideration of the interests of the cargo owner, as a party most interested in the effective mutual work of public and non-public railway tracks. Practical value. Based on the results of the study recommendations can be received on the choice of the mode of interaction between the main and industrial railway transport in the part of the cars distribution sent to parking between public and non-public railway tracks. This will reduce the costs of cargo owners by minimizing economic and time losses and, as a result, make railroad services more attractive to customers, which will lead to an increase in its competitiveness in the transport services market.

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Rolling stock distribution for parking between public and non-public railway tracks

Purpose . The scientific paper has a purpose to choose rational technological parameters of the transportation organization process, which would enable the freight train movement with the most efficient train traffic arrangement, the decrease in idle time due to the increased speed of cargo delivery and the increase in the working capacity of the marshalling yard. Methodology . The work presents the technical and operational characteristics of marshalling yards in Europe and Ukraine. The research methods include the station operation analysis, the car traffic flow analysis, analysis of the train sheet, the DU-1 natural sheets upon arrival and departure of trains. Schemes were developed for calculating working capacity of necks, rehandling capacity of marshalling hump, acceptable levels of system loading. Findings . The research resulted in the calculated working (rehandling) capacity of the main elements of the station. Daily loads of marshalling hump and turnout tracks vary significantly by variations and gradations of movement volume. This affects the idle time of trains and, in general, the value of the criterion according to which the optimal technical equipment, optimum interaction of the subsystems and gridiron of the station will be chosen. This criterion must take into account the costs of technical equipment, construction of tracks, locomotives, as well as related operating costs in all cases. Thus, the selection of the optimal interaction should establish the economically viable level of operational reliability of the sub-systems, their technical and track capacity. Originality . By increasing the productivity of train departure channel, marshalling hump and turnout tracks it is possible the thetrain handling processes and reduce the car idle time. Intensification of production processes in marshalling yards provides a reduction in car turnover and in idle time and high economic efficiency of capital investments. The work covers the issues related to improving the efficiency of functioning of marshalling yards in the railway transport reforming conditions. Practical value . Using the methods of determining the rational working (rehandling) capacity of marshalling yards for distribution of train traffic flows between them makes it possible to improve the quality indicators of marshalling yard operation.

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Study of working capacity of the marshalling yard

Purpose. In this paper it is necessary to analyze the types of competition in the transport market in order to find ways to improve the competitiveness of railway transport and to determine the ensuring equal conditions for all market participants by eliminating discrimination in competition. Methodology. Analysis of recent research and publications on the subject was held by the authors. The question of the development of competition, increased competitiveness in railway transport was investigated. Attention is drawn to the fact that due to the decline in traffic volumes on all modes of transport competition may significantly change the usual sphere the effective use of different modes of transport. Every mode of transport occupies a particular segment of the transport market, taking into account its technical and economic features, weakly competing, and in some cases do not compete with each other (except the road transport). However, it is entirely possible competition inside these segments. Findings. The problems of management of competitiveness, including the transport market, which required extensive analysis and serious scientific study, were identified. Originality. As a result of this work the features of transport and production of transport in modern conditions were structured. The dependences of passenger turnover and freight turnover by mode of transport over the past decade were shown. The question of additional profits by providing the cargo owners a range of service was examined. The optimal combination of cost and quality of such services at each transportation company promotes increasing its competitive status. Practical value. Competition between enterprises of the industry put the aim of improving the competitiveness of not only railway subsystems directly involved in technology movement of cargoes and the movement of passengers, but also the organization of infrastructure in the first place – subsystems to expand services and improve service for passengers and cargo owners. Ensuring of equal conditions for all market participants is achieved through a ban of three key anti-competitive actions: the adoption of agreements restricting competition; abuse of a dominant (monopolistic) position and mergers, which result in a dominant market position to restrict competition.

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Ways to increase competitiveness of railway transport in modern conditions

Purpose. The paper is aimed to analyse the existing car traffic organization at the marshalling yard aimed to reduce downtime of cars. Methodology. The methods of mathematical statistics allowed building the histogram of car traffic flow distribution at the marshalling yard and assessment of their parameters. The key quantitative and qualitative indicators of the station operation were analyzed. In order to analyze the effect of rehandling volume on the rehandled transit car downtime elements at the station we plotted the dependence graph of the car downtime elements on the rehandling volume. The curve variation on the graph clearly shows the effect of rehandling volume on two downtime elements: during formation and in expectation of operations. Findings. The question of reducing the average downtime of all car categories at the station should be solved by reducing unproductive downtime was proved. The correct determination of the average time spent by a rehandled transit car at the station is essential, especially in the conditions of new system of economic incentives. But still there is no separate methodology for determining the car downtime, which would allow to objectively consider the equipment and operation technology and exclude the possibility for subjective decisions. Originality. One of the main kinds of unproductive downtime during the carriage of goods by rail is a downtime on the marshalling yards in expectation of technological operations because of the system congestion. Reduction of this indicator is possible due to rational use of the marshalling yard capacity provided the rational distribution and car – and train flows between the major marshalling yards of Ukrzaliznytsia. Practical value. The analysis of changes in downtime elements, depending on the rehandling volume allows not only to identify the car downtime reduction methods, but also to make a correct assessment of station staff work, as well as to adjust the rate of idle wagons.

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S. I. Muzykina

Papers

Study of working capacity of the marshalling yard

Ways to increase competitiveness of railway transport in modern conditions

Study of car traffic flow structure on arrival and departure at the marshalling yard x