Tactical Scheduling of Rail Operations: The SCAN I System

This paper presents an overview of a decision-support model for the tactical scheduling of freight railroad traffic which is designed to support the weekly or monthly scheduling of rail operations. This initial version of the Schedule Analysis (SCAN) system is based upon notions from both simulation and combinatorial optimization, and is designed to provide decision makers with a tool for scheduling which provides a truly interactive system. After describing the conceptual underpinnings of the SCAN system and its associated algorithms, examples taken from a major railroad are used to illustrate the capabilities and limitations of the current system. Future research directions aimed at removing SCAN I's limitations are then discussed in light of recent advances in railroad management philosophies and technological advancements in this industry.