SIMARAIL: Simulation based optimization software for scheduling railway network

This paper presents an event-driven simulation-based optimization method for solving the train timetabling problem to minimize the total traveling time in the hybrid single and double track railway networks. The simulation approach is well applied for solving the train timetabling problems. In present simulation model, the stations and block sections of the railway network are respectively considered as the nodes and edges of the network model. The developed software named SIMARAIL has the capability of scheduling trains in large scale networks respecting the capacity constraints and infrastructure characteristics. This simulation model for railway timetabling is based on a detailed microscopic infrastructure model, which includes the most detailed infrastructure information. This research is based on integration of a discrete event simulation and GA meta-heuristic algorithm to generate near optimal train timetable. In other words, the simulation model is used to construct a feasible solution for train timetabling problems.