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Using A* for Optimal Train Routing on Moving Block Systems

Authors Stefan Engels , Robert Wille

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OASIcs.ATMOS.2025.14.pdf
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Subject Classification

ACM Subject Classification
  • Applied computing → Transportation
Keywords
  • ETCS
  • Train Routing
  • Moving Block
  • A*
  • Munich Train Control Toolkit

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Abstract

Modern control systems based on Moving Block allow for shorter headways and higher capacity on existing railway infrastructure. At the same time, few algorithms for optimal routing on networks equipped with such modern control systems exist. Previous methods rely on Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and face a trade-off between model size and accuracy, especially considering comparably complex and nonlinear headway constraints as well as train dynamics. With this work, we propose a complementary approach based on A*. Under a reasonable and easy assumption on train driver behavior, we propose a solution encoding and state space that is flexible concerning the choice of search algorithm and the modeling detail. The applicability is showcased on a small benchmark set. The implementation is available open-source as part of the Munich Train Control Toolkit (MTCT) on GitHub at https://github.com/cda-tum/mtct.

Cite As Get BibTex

Stefan Engels and Robert Wille. Using A* for Optimal Train Routing on Moving Block Systems. In 25th Symposium on Algorithmic Approaches for Transportation Modelling, Optimization, and Systems (ATMOS 2025). Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs), Volume 137, pp. 14:1-14:18, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2025) https://doi.org/10.4230/OASIcs.ATMOS.2025.14

Author Details

Stefan Engels
  • Chair for Design Automation, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Robert Wille
  • Chair for Design Automation, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Supplementary Materials

References

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    Software Heritage Logo archived version
    full metadata available at: https://doi.org/10.4230/artifacts.24436
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