Train Schedule Optimization: A Case Study of the National Railways of Zimbabwe

Journal Title: International Journal of Management Sciences - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 1

Abstract

The locomotive assignment problem involves assigning a set of locomotives to each train in a pre-planned train schedule so as to provide sufficient power to pull them from their origins to their destinations. An integrated model that determines the set of active and deadheaded locomotives for each train, light travelling locomotives and train-to-train connections is presented. The model explicitly considers consist-busting and consistency. A Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) formulation of the problem that contains about 92 integer variables and 56 constraints is presented in the study. Three models are discussed for assigning locomotives to wagons and coaches and the results are compared amongst the models themselves and compared to the existing scenario at National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). The models generally improve the number of saved locomotives and number of used locomotives. The Locomotive Assignment Model(LAM) solution obtained showed savings of over 70 locomotives, which translates into savings of over one-hundred thousand dollars weekly.

Authors and Affiliations

Philimon Nyamugure, Siphosenkosi Dube Swene, Edward T. Chiyaka, Farikayi K. Mutasa

Keywords

Related Articles

Rejuvenating Business Licensing Process in State Government Agencies through Business Process Reengineering (BPR)

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) is the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve drastic improvements in a particular organization. Reengineering identifies, analyzes, and redesig...

An Evaluation on Musharakah Mutanaqisah Based House Financing By Islamic Banks in Malaysia

Musharakah Mutanaqisah has been suggested as a better Alternative of Islamic Financing contract to Replace the Controversial Bay Bithaman Ajil contract in the house financing. However, To Date, Only a Few Islamic Finan...

Exploring Mobile 4G adoption in Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to determine the main factors affecting mobile 4 G service for adoption. The main reason to stimulate the present study was the significantly low rate of using 4G service among mobile users...

The Extent of Web-Based Learning System Usage in Distance Learning Delivery in Ghanaian Universities

The aim of the research is to contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of web-based learning and distance education delivery. The study employed quantitative and survey design and discusses the extent of web-bas...

Measuring Consumers Satisfaction towards the Services of Mobile Phone Operators in Bangladesh

The study is exploratory as well as descriptive in nature. The prime objective of the study is to know the customers’ satisfaction towards the various mobile phone operators' services in Bangladesh. The study is based...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP26822
  • DOI -
  • Views 322
  • Downloads 7

How To Cite

Philimon Nyamugure, Siphosenkosi Dube Swene, Edward T. Chiyaka, Farikayi K. Mutasa (2014). Train Schedule Optimization: A Case Study of the National Railways of Zimbabwe. International Journal of Management Sciences, 3(1), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-26822