Mathematical models for analyzing the capacity of a marshalling yard on a railroad network

<p>A marshalling (classification) yard in a network of railroads is studied, and a mathematical model for analyzing the capacity of the marshalling yard of a particular type is proposed. Studies of marshalling yards are of particular interest for Russian Railways, where the marshalling yards have been key elements of the Russian railroad network since the Soviet times and remain such due to the specifics of the current ownership of basic elements of the railroad infrastructure in Russia.</p><p>The aim of the study is to propose a mathematical model allowing one to bring into step the schedules of inbound and outbound loaded and empty railcars that arrive in the marshalling yard and leave it within 24 hours.&nbsp; With the use of the model, the problem of optimizing the work of the marshalling yard is formulated as a discrete optimization one which can be solved by standard software packages under the model size acceptable for practical purposes.</p><p>Also, a survey of mathematical models of marshalling yards described in scientific publications and systematized answers of Russian railroad specialists to the questions of the author regarding technological aspects of the design and the&nbsp; management of Russian marshalling yards, obtained in the course of the author&rsquo;s interviews with them, are part of the study.&nbsp;</p>