Optimization of the process of delivering wagons to loading and unloading sites at railway stations using a single locomotive

Abstract

Shunting locomotives are one of the most important links in technological processes at railway stations, and their efficient management directly affects the station’s processing capacity, the rhythm and continuity of the transportation process, as well as economic performance indicators. The article provides a detailed overview of the task of optimizing the process of delivering wagons to loading and unloading sites at railway stations. In the study, taking into account the combinatorial nature of the process, all possible options for the order of wagon delivery to loading and unloading sites were identified and evaluated. As the objective function, the criterion of minimizing wagon idle time was chosen, and with the help of the developed specialized software, it became possible to determine the optimal option. The obtained results show that the optimal organization of shunting processes makes it possible to efficiently use station resources, manage the transportation process promptly, reduce idle time, and decrease economic losses. The proposed approach creates wide opportunities for improving planning and management processes in railway transport, as well as for application in modern logistics systems.