Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks

With the continuous expansion and increasing operational complexity of high-speed railway networks, there is a growing need for more flexible and efficient EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) routing strategies. To address these challenges, in this paper, we propose a multi-day flexible circulation model t...

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Main Authors: Xiangyu Su, Yixiang Yue, Bin Guo, Zanyang Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7914
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author Xiangyu Su
Yixiang Yue
Bin Guo
Zanyang Cui
author_facet Xiangyu Su
Yixiang Yue
Bin Guo
Zanyang Cui
author_sort Xiangyu Su
collection DOAJ
description With the continuous expansion and increasing operational complexity of high-speed railway networks, there is a growing need for more flexible and efficient EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) routing strategies. To address these challenges, in this paper, we propose a multi-day flexible circulation model that minimizes total connection time and deadheading mileage. A multi-commodity network flow model is formulated, incorporating constraints such as first-level maintenance intervals, storage capacity, train coupling/decoupling operations, and train types, with across-day consistency. To solve this complex model efficiently, a heuristic decomposition algorithm is designed to separate the problem into daily service chain generation and EMU assignment. A real-world case study in the Beijing–Baotou high-speed corridor demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Compared to a fixed strategy, the flexible strategy reduces EMU usage by one unit, lowers deadheading mileage by up to 16.4%, and improves maintenance workload balance. These results highlight the practical value of flexible EMU deployment for large-scale, multi-day railway operations.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-a21d4fdcb4624575b4d9e5ac2f3b83902025-08-20T03:13:41ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011514791410.3390/app15147914Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail NetworksXiangyu Su0Yixiang Yue1Bin Guo2Zanyang Cui3School of Traffic and Transportation, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaSchool of Traffic and Transportation, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaSchool of Traffic and Transportation, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaSchool of Traffic and Transportation, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaWith the continuous expansion and increasing operational complexity of high-speed railway networks, there is a growing need for more flexible and efficient EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) routing strategies. To address these challenges, in this paper, we propose a multi-day flexible circulation model that minimizes total connection time and deadheading mileage. A multi-commodity network flow model is formulated, incorporating constraints such as first-level maintenance intervals, storage capacity, train coupling/decoupling operations, and train types, with across-day consistency. To solve this complex model efficiently, a heuristic decomposition algorithm is designed to separate the problem into daily service chain generation and EMU assignment. A real-world case study in the Beijing–Baotou high-speed corridor demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Compared to a fixed strategy, the flexible strategy reduces EMU usage by one unit, lowers deadheading mileage by up to 16.4%, and improves maintenance workload balance. These results highlight the practical value of flexible EMU deployment for large-scale, multi-day railway operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7914high-speed railway networkmulti-day EMU routing plan optimizationEMU connection networktwo-stage heuristic algorithm
spellingShingle Xiangyu Su
Yixiang Yue
Bin Guo
Zanyang Cui
Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks
Applied Sciences
high-speed railway network
multi-day EMU routing plan optimization
EMU connection network
two-stage heuristic algorithm
title Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks
title_full Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks
title_fullStr Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks
title_short Optimization of Multi-Day Flexible EMU Routing Plan for High-Speed Rail Networks
title_sort optimization of multi day flexible emu routing plan for high speed rail networks
topic high-speed railway network
multi-day EMU routing plan optimization
EMU connection network
two-stage heuristic algorithm
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7914
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AT zanyangcui optimizationofmultidayflexibleemuroutingplanforhighspeedrailnetworks