Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Modeling Computer based, microscopic
Dispatching Systems
Alexander Kuckelberg
1
,
2
and Ekkehard Wendler
2
1
VIA Consulting & Development GmbH, Aachen, Germany
a.kuckelberg@via-con.de
,
http://www.via-con.de
2
VIA - Institute of Transport Science, Aachen, Germany
{wendler/kuckelberg}@via.rwth-aachen.de
,
http://www.via.rwth-aachen.de
Abstract. Computer aided dispatching systems for railway oper-
ations are designed to support dispatchers when detecting arising
problems or undesirable situations within daily operation.
On a microscopic level such systems can even be designed to deter-
mine detailed routing information, time margins and dwell times in
such a way, that occupation times implied by train control systems
can be calculated. This assures, that the dispatching decisions remain
valid with respect to operability.
While the core component, the dispatching algorithms and appro-
aches are common research topics an overall consideration of system
modeling and integration within existing systems is less commonly
evaluated. This paper tries to introduce a generic approach to dis-
patching system modeling by analyzing fundamental functionalities
and by abstract system definitions.
Keywords: Dispatching Systems, Microscopic, Framework, System Archi-
tecture
1
Introduction
The operation of computer aided dispatching is a quite special application
field whose importance and acceptance is increasingly growing with the imple-
mentation of computer based train control and communication technologies.
While the implementation of such control and communication technologies
is a great leap forward to ecient train operation the next steps may be the
extensions of these systems to support train dispatchers and operators.
Assuming that a sucient train operation control technology is available,
dispatching systems are usually added and integrated into these existing sys-
tems. With a published timetable as a reference point the main functionalities
of a dispatching system are the detection of train movements and positions,
the alignment of these positions to the intended timetable, the detection and
