MODELING THE FORMATION OF FREIGHT TRAINS A NEW FORMULATION

In this study, a mathematical programming model for the tactical planning of freight railways, which addresses the Train Formation Problem is proposed. The problem results in a multi-commodity network flow formulation which contains both integer and continuous variables. The modular structure of the statement allows considering the special conditions of the network under study and testing various operating policies.In this paper, the model developing process is described using a simple hypothetical network, the results are presented and interpreted. The economic train size, high priority demand pairs in the network, the structure of the operation costs and the formation plan for the freight trains are some of the model outputs