Simplified railroad capacity analysis model

A microcomputer-based railroad capacity analysis model is described which allows for interactive use. Train dynamics are calculated in a simplified way and the computer program displays the space-time trajectories of individual trains continuously, allows the user to stop the simulation and to override the meet, and overtake decisions taken by the computer program. The results obtained with this simplified model for a heavily traveled section of the Canadian National mainline in the mountain region of Western Canada are compared with the results obtained from a state-of-the-art mainframe computer model. It is concluded that the simplified model provides accurate results and that its interactive features offer a useful planning tool for the rapid preliminary analyses of railroad capacity problems.