Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

The daily work of railway engineers and managers consists of making a series of decisions, the quality of which is crucial to the efficiency and resiliency of the rail system. They face many challenges in their decision-making, including large and complex infrastructure asset networks; limited resources, time and information; a range of outcomes; conflicting goals; and uncertainties.

Planning, designing, and maintaining a rail system involves accounting for various multi-dimensional influential factors and conditions (including the topography, travel demand patterns, and land use and value) and numerous interconnected objectives, needs, and limitations that arise from the stakeholders involved (for example, the costs, operation safety, accessibility, punctuality, and travel time). Inadequate decisions often lead to longer travel times, inefficient space use, and overall resource wastage.

Therefore, this Special Issue will present and disseminate the most recent advances in optimization-based decision-making modelling, which is essential in developing and maintaining a reliable and cost-effective rail system. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Project evaluation models supporting decisions in developing new infrastructure and rehabilitating existing infrastructure;
• Routing, alignment, and construction dynamics optimization models;
• Track and vehicle interaction models describing influences on system design and performance;
• Condition-based track maintenance models for proactive maintenance strategies;
• Transport planning and scheduling models.

Dr. Maja Ahac
Prof. Dr. Stefano Ricci
Prof. Dr. Szabolcs Fischer
Guest Editors

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