Changing trains is a crucial part of many rail journeys, and it is important that arrival and departing trains are allocated close to each other for a swift interchange. Today the platform allocation of trains is often based on local traditions, where trains of the same type to the same destination depart from the same track. In this paper we address the problem of using the platform tracks in the best way, balancing crossing train paths with easy interchanges at the same platform. We use a RailSys model of the station in Norrköping, Sweden, to assess three platform allocation strategies with respect to crossing train paths and train changes at the same platform. Moreover, the capacity utilisation is calculated by a timetable compression-based method. The results show that a platform allocation maximising the changes at the same platform leads to more crossing train paths and higher capacity utilisation. Future work includes more accurate modelling of train connections, assessment of delays through simulation, and a cost-benefit analysis to find the best balance between easy interchanges and conflicting train paths.
Funding agencies: This research is a result of a collaboration between KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Linköping University and has been funded by Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) through the strategic research initiative “Excellensområdesprogram - Järnvägsforskning 2021-2030” (Dnr. TRV 2023/30667), and through the project “Kapacitet i nätverk 2 (KAIN 2)” (Dnr. TRV 2020/72702). We would like to thank Trafikverket, for providing timetable data from the Swedish railway network.