is a digital tool that enables the simulation of railway traffic. KMM covers the entire national infrastructure layer of railway network, acting as a digital twin of the network.
Microsimulation modeling
uses output data from the PMT and determines whether the infrastructure can accommodate the planned number of passenger and freight trains. The model simulates train movement, not passengers or goods, focusing on accurately replicating the infrastructure. It includes railway tracks with parameters such as maximum speed, electrification, type of electrification, and track geometry. Station track layouts and traffic control points are also modeled, down to details like switches, signals, stopping points, platforms, and the entire logic system of interdependencies between infrastructure elements.
The primary function of the digital infrastructure model is to create a canvas on which the timetable is superimposed in the Timetable and Analytical Layer. The second essential element in constructing the timetable is the actual characteristics of the rolling stock. Based on these two modules, and using train movement equations, travel times in the timetable are calculated.
In addition to timetable construction, various detailed analyses can be conducted. These allow the testing of the designed railway line in both, planned and emergency scenarios.
Traffic Analyses in the feasibility studies and design process serve as an interface between other analytical and design sectors.
Based on data from the analytical sectors and preliminary technical design, Traffic Analyses provide guidelines for technical design sectors. This process is iterative, as railway lines are not designed in isolation. It follows the Deming cycle:
Timetable construction
allows verification whether the designed railway lines and adjoining lines can accommodate the planned railway traffic.
CALCULATION OF THE CAPACITY UTILISATION LEVEL
uses the compression method. It consists of two stages. The first, in simple terms, “compresses” trains on the traffic diagram as much as possible.
The second part of the calculations involves filling empty spaces on the traffic diagram with additional trains to determine how many more trains, beyond those planned in the timetable, can fit on the designed railway line.
The compressed diagram shows intercity trains (in red) running hourly, regional trains (in green) running every half hour, and additional intercity trains (in pink).
ANALYSIS OF RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE OCCUPANCY
allows an unequivocal verification whether bottlenecks occur within the designed infrastructure.
SIMULATION OF DELAYS
are concerned with investigating how the designed infrastructure will behave in situations where there is an impediment to the railway traffic operation. They are used to assess the degree of resilience of the designed railway line – understood as part of the transport network – to emergency situations that may occur despite efforts to prevent them in the future.
MODELING INVESTMENT VARIANTS – THE ESSENCE OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC MODELS
Conclusions from Traffic Analyses at the study stage shape the functional solutions that technical designers implement according to applicable norms and regulations.
The main benefits of using microsimulation railway traffic models in the study and design process include:
● designing infrastructure to meet needs
● ongoing quality control of design solutions throughout the project lifecycle
● the ability to verify multiple design solution scenarios and choose the optimal one
● answering the question: how to achieve maximum benefits with minimal investment?
OUR GOAL – WORK ON A RAILWAY MICROSIMULATION MODEL
The Railway Microsimulation Model is a comprehensive microsimulation model of railway traffic. One of the main beneficiaries of the KMM’s development will be the Horizontal Timetable Project (HRJ). Timetable assumptions developed in the HRJ project will be verified using modeling in KMM’s Timetable and Analytical Layer.
Building the KMM for the entire country will create a wide range of possibilities for transport analytics, providing benefits on many levels.
The most significant include:
● ability to study the mutual impact of planned investments
● identification of bottlenecks
● the ability to simulate traffic on the entire national railway network
● the ability to perform real-time traffic simulations
● support for maintenance planning.