Multi-scale Simulation in Railway Planning and Operation

Simulation methods are widely used in railway planning and operation. However, at the moment there are no applicable solutions in the process simulation for a smooth transition among different infrastructure levels on the basis of a unified structure with consistent algorithm. In this paper, a multi-scale simulation model is designed with consideration of the level of detail of the investigated infrastructure model and the homogeneity of the processes running in the simulation model. A comprehensive and synthesized view of railway planning and operation is therefore obtained. Within the multi-scale simulation model, railway planning and operation processes can be simulated, evaluated and optimized consistently. KEY WORDS: railway planning, simulation, multi-scale, aggregation, discrete scaling, continuous scaling, homogenous process, inhomogeneous process