Computer-based optimisation techniques for mass transit signalling design

The authors present an attempt to harness the vast processing power available in modern computers to the task of assisting signal design engineers with the layout and performance assessment of various signalling systems, particularly as applied to metro systems. The primary aspects considered are the minimum headway and line capacity dictated by the dynamics of the train following, particularly across stations. After reviewing the basic relationships governing the behaviour of a signalling system, the properties of the track circuit-based, multiaspect, equiblock system are discussed in detail. A mathematical optimisation technique, which chooses ideal intermediate speeds accounting for equipment response delays and jerk limiting, is presented. Developed software, which then automatically makes trial block layouts on a given station-station run, is described with examples of its output presented