Optimization of supplements and buffer times in passenger robust timetabling

This paper proposes an iterative approach to construct a passenger robust railway routing plan and timetable from scratch that also takes supplement and buffer time allocation into account on the signaling level. Each iteration is based on four pillars, which are subsequently executed. First a routing plan that optimizes infrastructure usage is constructed. Secondly, a timetable is constructed that optimizes buffer times between trains while taking passenger numbers into account. Thirdly, simulation is used to evaluate the passenger robustness of the routing plan and the timetable. Finally, the simulation outcome is used to make a new supplement assignment for the next iteration. The algorithm is tested on a case study for the complex station area of Brussels (Belgium). The resulting timetable and routing plan are much more passenger robust than the existing combinations of timetables and routing plans for this case, developed during research or implemented in practice.