Schedule Optimization at SNCF: From Conception to Day of Departure

Because of the upcoming deregulation and the advent of high-speed rail networks, European passenger railroads are battling for customers among themselves and with other means of transportation. To maintain a competitive advantage, they rely on the scheduling process as a key factor in winning market share. Societé Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF), in partnership with SABRE Technology Solutions, has developed RailPlus, a strategic schedule planning system, and RailCap, a tactical capacity-adjustment system, to meet the new challenges of the rail business. The heart of these systems is a set of advanced operations research models that enable analysts to take a global approach to decision making. The two systems combined provide 110 million francs in incremental revenue per year and substantially reduce operating costs. In addition, the two systems have become the foundation for the reorganization of SNCF/TGV.