A MILP model for rescheduling freight trains under an unexpected marshalling-yard closure

This study is about rescheduling freight trains to reduce the effects of major interruptions. In this paper, we consider that the interruption is an unexpected marshalling-yard closure. We develop a macroscopic Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model to reschedule railway timetables. One important principle is that we simultaneously reschedule several trains, instead of one-by-one. Furthermore, we consider a rescheduling strategy of letting trains wait on the way when the destination yard have a closure. The model considers stopping restrictions and the capacity of each segment and station. The order of the trains affected by the interruption is not fixed. We present experimental results of three different cases, which are all based on artificial data.