An optimization procedure to evaluate the service performances in high-speed railway lines under fault conditions

The paper deals with train traffic operation in degraded conditions due to failure events of transportation systems components. An optimization algorithm, implemented in a computer procedure, able to minimize delays in case of scheduled constant train headways is first illustrated. The procedure can be applied for simulating and optimizing railway traffic two-way operation along the failed sections of a line and for taking into account, optionally, the presence of interconnections with other lines. Results of a case study involving a high-speed railway line are finally summarized.