The Future of...
Automatically generated detours

U-THREAT: Innovative algorithms to allow rapid implementation of replacement services during an emergency

In the past few years, transport companies have been facing more and more unexpected events such as extreme weather conditions, demonstrations and other types of operational disruptions and, more recently, an escalating pandemic. These potentially catastrophic events have a significant impact on operations and infrastructure. They require transport companies to adapt to an increased variety of different scenarios and find appropriate and reliable solutions for their passengers. In response to this, INIT has been researching innovative algorithms to automatically generate detours and replacement services, since August 2017.

The image shows the station ‘Saxe Gambetta’ in Lyon as a transfer point between the remaining part of metro line D (light green lines on the right) to an automatically generated bus replacement service in the closed section (dark green line on the left).

Up until the end of October 2020, the German-French consortium of the "U-THREAT" research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research, was investigating how to increase the resilience of public transport stations when such crisis situations occur, focusing in particular on underground stations. Under INIT’s leadership, a project team developed measures and algorithms, in order to increase operational resilience. These are helpful, even during non-crisis situations.

Surveys showed that transport companies in Germany already have adequate contingency plans and are well prepared for everyday disruptions and emergencies. However, whether these plans are correctly implemented in an emergency, essentially depends on the individual experience and expertise of control centre employees, particularly during unprecedented events or crisis situations. It is impossible to have emergency plans "in your back pocket" for every conceivable event. It can be particularly difficult to determine replacement services for rare events and can cause stress for operational staff as well as passengers because of the amount of lost time.

This is where the algorithms developed by INIT come in: Firstly, replacement services of new routes adapted to the particular situation are generated within very short timescales, based on general network operating principles and analysis of the transport network and operation. Secondly, the software calculates a time-optimised transfer scenario. Based on real-time position data, new blocks are automatically created to switch operation from the regular mode to the replacement or detour timetable as quickly as possible.

Advantages of this type of automation

  • Flexible solutions for all conceivable events
  • Less dependence on individual employees’ knowledge
  • Faster response to unforeseen events
  • Exceptional performance from the outset
  • Quick implementation of complex replacement services

The prototype software test using simulated disruptions in Lyon’s metro network proved extremely successful and is a good reference point to facilitate future developments. As a result, INIT is keen to explore similar solutions in partnership with customers who are looking to make life easier for their dispatchers and schedulers.

Contact

Manuel Quinting

Head of Department Research and Technology (INIT GmbH)
Director Research and Product Strategy (INIT SE)
Germany

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This article was published in our customer magazine INITiative, issue 1/2021. If you want to receive the magazine regularly per e-mail, we kindly ask you to subscribe.

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