Graph coloring-based approach for railway station design analysis and capacity determination

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2020.04.057
• Publication Date: 2020-05-11T03:08:42Z
• Authors: Predrag Jovanović; Norbert Pavlović; Ivan Belošević; Sanjin Milinković
• Keywords: 0502 economics and business; 05 social sciences

Abstract This study develops an optimization model for strategic decision-making in railway station design, enabling the comparison and selection of a station layout that maximizes the theoretical infrastructure capacity, completely independent of timetables. The model, using well-known combinatorial problems, such as the weighted vertex coloring problem and traveling salesman problem, identifies a route sequence that occupies a minimum amount of infrastructure and calculates the theoretical capacity. The model is tested on six different layouts for a station in the design phase, as well as on one fully operating station. The test results demonstrate the simplicity of implementing the model.