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Running Time Calculator

The Running Time Calculation (RTC) works based on the microscopic infrastructure model and the rolling stock database stored in trenissimo.

The RTC allows to calculate running times after changes to the train path have been made. The RTC also serves as a control instrument to check the impact of changes to the train path, for example changing the OCP track at a station can increase the travel time significantly, if slow turnouts need to be passed.

The RTC is based on a set of performance parameters for each train (they can also be standardised). 100% performance means that the calculation is using the physical limits as they are explained by formulas for running time calculation. Most of the calculation is based on the textbook "Fahrdynamik des Schienenverkehrs", published by Dietrich Wende in 2003. Lowering the performance parameters means that the results of these formulas get lowered by a percentage to account for physically unfavourable conditions. It is possible to adjust the following parameters:

  • acceleration
  • cruising
  • braking
  • adhesion

Further details on the running time calculation are explained in the trenissimo manual.

After the calculation the RTC offers to compare the old and the new values of running time and to choose between an application modifying the MRT and the Arrival/Departure columns or the MRT and one margin column. The first option conserves manually inserted margins and adjusts the timetable to be aligned with the correct calculated running times. It is the suggested method to create a timetable.

In certain cases it can be necessary not to change the Arrival and Departure times (for example, because they have already been published), but it is necessary to highlight changes in the timetable with implications on the running time. In this case the margins can be modified instead, allowing a visualisation of differences between the original running time (as published in the arrival and departure columns) and the new running time. Positive margins mean a reduced running time, negative margins an increased running time.

RTC blocking times​

After the RT calculation blocking times can be visualised in the graphic timetable. The blocking times have two visualisation modes in trenoLive:

  • Calculated - The blocking times represent the MRT only.
  • Planned - The blocking times represent the MRT plus margins in the timetable.

In trenissimo a third visualisation is available:

  • Stochastic - The blocking times represent the MRT plus delays.

In certain cases it can be necessary not to change the Arrival and Departure times (for example, because they have already been published), but it is necessary to highlight changes in the timetable with implications on the running time. In this case the margins can be modified instead, allowing a visualisation of differences between the original running time (as published in the arrival and departure columns) and the new running time. Positive margins mean a reduced running time, negative margins an increased running time.

connecting trenoLive and trenissimo​

To use the RTC a connection between trenoLive and trenissimo needs to be established. To do this open the trenissimo model. Open the properties of the regulation subproject and insert the web adress of your trenolive server installation. It is tipically composed like this:

https://asdf.live.trenolab.com

Select the project, if multiple projects are on the same server and if necessary select the correct registers for Short Code and Display Name. Click OK.

After that, go to the Macro folder and right-click on it to open the menu. Select Import from Treno. The trenoLive macro model will be compared to the microscopic model of trenissimo. If errors appear and the build failed the inconsistencies between the macro model and trenissimo should be redeemed. If the build is successfull, the microscopic infrastructure can be pushed back to trenoLive. Right-click on the Micro subproject and select Export Micro to Treno. After a refresh of the trenoLive train editor, the RTC is ready to use.

Error messagges in the RTC​

Error messages in the RTC calculation are usually caused by errors or incomplete information in the timetable. For example it is not possible to calculate running times without a trainset assigned to the train. Another common mistake is the scheduling of trains on OCP tracks that are not reachable from the incoming or outgoing line tracks. For a full list of RTC error messages follow this link: https://trenolab.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/TRENISSIMO/pages/1050257/Errors+when+calculating+running+times