Method and apparatus for automatic selection of alternative routing through congested areas using congestion prediction metrics

Abstract

A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system. Alternative routes through congested areas are automatically selected using congestion prediction metrics.

1 . A method of scheduling the movement of trains, each over a selected route, by predicting the occurrence of congestion due to the planned movement of the trains over a selected route comprising: 
 (a) identifying factors which contribute to congestion;    (b) assigning a metric for each factor;    (c) evaluating the metrics associated with a selected route;    (d) if the evaluate metrics exceed a predetermined threshold, scheduling one or more trains scheduled for the selected route to alternate routes.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of identifying includes evaluating the historical performance of train movement over a selected route.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the factor is weighted as a function of its relative contribution to congestion.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of evaluating includes cumulating the metrics for a selected route.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined threshold is a selected as a function of the historical occurrence of congestion movement of trains over a selected route.  
   
   
       6 . A method of scheduling the movement of trains, each over a selected route, by predicting the occurrence of congestion due to the planned movement of the trains over a selected route comprising: 
 (a) identifying factors which contribute to congestion;    (b) assigning a metric for each factor;    (c) evaluating the metrics associated with a first planned movement of plural trains over a selected route;    (d) evaluating the metric associated with a second planned movement over a selected route;    (e) selecting the planned movement having the lowest metric for scheduling the movement of trains over the selected route.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the factors include at least one of train density, environmental, temporal, seasonal, and track topology.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  where the step of scheduling one or more trains to an alternate route includes evaluating the metrics for each train planned for the selected route and selecting the train having the highest metrics for rescheduling on an alternate route.