01764237

Component

https://annualmeeting.myt...nlineProgram/Details/15393

This paper investigates passenger rail reliability in Canada, where long-distance and intercity passenger rail service operated by VIA Rail Canada runs almost exclusively on track that they do not own. As pressure for greener long-distance travel options mount, VIA is facing reliability challenges attributed primarily to the Canadian operating model and has pushed for separate rights of way for passenger rail service to accommodate growing demand and higher expectations for reliability. To investigate the effects of mixed-traffic operations versus dedicated right of way operations in a Canadian context, this paper performs a comparative reliability analysis of two corridors - one that is owned entirely by VIA Rail, and one that is not. Real-time and scheduled arrival data published by VIA rail and collected over the course of a year and a half is used to develop an understanding of delay propagation on the line and to learn about the effects of reliability bottlenecks on the corridors. Finally, a mathematical model of stochastic movement of trains on a route is used to examine potential benefits of targeted reliability improvements and to provide direction for rail operators on where to focus improvements.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AR010 Standing Committee on Passenger Rail Transportation.

TRBAM-21-00153

English

18p

2021

Transportation Research Board 100th Annual Meeting

Web

Figures; References; Tables

Intercity transportation; Level of service; Passenger service; Railroad transportation; Reliability; Ridership; Transportation corridors

Via Rail Canada

Canada

Passenger Transportation; Railroads

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2021 Paper #TRBAM-21-00153

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 23 2020 11:23AM