Assessment of the impact of interval control systems on the inter-train interval

Abstract

Railway transport holds a significant place in the transportation system as a reliable and cost-effective means of passenger and freight transportation. In recent years, the increasing frequency of train movements and stricter safety requirements have necessitated the optimization of railway network capacity. To this end, modeling train interval control systems has become a key tool for ensuring movement efficiency and safety. This article explores effective methods for organizing train operations through the modeling of interval control systems. The train interval is the spatial or temporal distance between trains that ensures the safe and stable operation of the system. Accurate calculation of this interval and its comparison across various control systems (semi-automatic block, automatic block, and radio block) allow for the enhancement of railway line capacity. According to the calculations: In the semi-automatic block system, the interval is 660 seconds, and the capacity is 5.45 trains/hour; In the automatic block system, the interval is 120 seconds, with a capacity of 30 trains/hour; In the radio block system, the interval is 72 seconds, providing a capacity of 50 trains/hour. These results indicate that the radio block system is the most efficient for train traffic management, as it ensures the shortest interval and the highest throughput. The research findings can contribute to the digital transformation of railway transport, improving both safety and capacity.