Train performance and simulation

Heavy and light rail systems the world over are expanding to meet new demands for additional capacity whilst faced with ever tighter controls of budgets and funding. In this environment it becomes more and more vital that a project can demonstrate that it works and will deliver the desired benefits and, where options exist, that the best one is selected. Simulation and scheduling software can take a major role in informing the decisions in a project. This paper aims to outline the types and applications of simulation and scheduling software. Simulation systems come in a variety of forms from specialist tools aimed at a specific question to general purpose systems that are capable of addressing a number of railway scenarios