Train describer records as a source of information for infrastructure monitoring, performance analysis and traffic management

Data records from tram describer systems represent a valuable source of information for analysing system performance and assessing railway timetable quality. The aim of this paper is to introduce the Dutch tram describer system and present algorithms developed for automatic identification of track blockages, route conflicts (including the identification of conflicting trains), accurate arrival and departure times/delays at stations, and realized train paths on track section level with the associated blocking times. Analysis of these realisation data can be used to identify incidents and disruptions, as well as to determine structural errors in the timetable design in order to increase the system performance.