Cooperative enhancement method of train operation planning featuring express and local modes for urban rail transit lines

An urban rail system’s ability to operate effectively and efficiently depends on its train operation plan. This paper proposes a strategy to optimize the train operation plan in an urban rail line with a single terminal depot by decreasing the travel cost for passengers and increasing resource utilization effectiveness from the operators’ point of view. We put forward a two-stage problem-solving approach that can effectively solve the train operation plan employing express and local type services. A mathematical model is formulated to address multi-level problems including line planning, train scheduling, train circulation planning, and an assignment for passengers’ travel. A two-stage iterative bi-objective algorithm is designed to suggest a targeted optimization for passengers’ traveling expenses and the enterprise’s running expenses. The first phase aims at optimizing the regularity of service to maximize the number of travelers achieved and the bi-objective function. The second phase, however, readjusts the stop plan for express operations to improve the objective until reaching the best possible setting. Finally, a real-world case study with three instances setting different departure ratios for local and express operations demonstrates how the train operation plan created using our approach lowers operational costs while meeting service level requirements with superior performance.