Comparative Application of Analytical and Simulation Methods for the Combined Railway Nodes-Lines Capacity Assessment

Nowadays a considerable percentage of trains mature delays due to nodes and stations congestion. They are normally a combination of effects of routes conflicts in stations on lines and propagation in stations of delays suffered along the lines. In order to prevent the conflicts and minimize delays, desirable timetables should be robust; accordingly, an accurate estimation during timetable design and implementation is necessary. Goal of the research is to compare analytical and simulation methods for the assessment of railway lines and nodes capacity to pinpoint their mutual effects, analyze stability or variability of the obtained results achieved by traditional and innovative approaches. The work is included in a research framework with the final goal of optimizing the use of railway network capacity. In order to tackle the purpose, the paper introduces synthetically the methods and applies them systematically to a complex network, including single and double track lines and various typologies of stations.