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Systems
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Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering
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Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3931

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maja Ahac

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Fra Andrije Kačića-Miošića 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: railway engineering; urban transport; traffic systems; infrastructure monitoring
Prof. Dr. Stefano Ricci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: urban transport and mass rapid transit; transport systems engineering; railway engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Szabolcs Fischer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transport Infrastructure and Water Resources Engineering, Széchenyi István University, H-9026 Győr, Hungary
Interests: railroad tracks; railway; discrete element; deep learning; surface defect; digital image correlation; strain measurement; image analysis; additive manufacturing; 3D printing; fused filament fabrication; preventive maintenance; railway transport; mathematical model; numerical methods; topology optimization; sustainable development; internet of things; lithium-ion batteries; state of charge; battery; transport safety; driver distraction; image processing; cyber physical systems; virtual reality; digital twin; energy efficiency; regenerative braking; dynamic response; finite element method; ground penetrating radar; reinforced concrete; compressive strength; rubber crumb; ultimate tensile strength; energy storage; creep; unmanned aerial vehicle; drone; temperature distribution; box girder bridges; structural health monitoring; concrete sleeper; friction material; tribology; wear property; steel structure; strain; simulation model; material handling; discrete event simulation; reinforced plastic; energy absoration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The daily work of railway engineers and managers consists of making a series of decisions, the quality of which is crucial to the efficiency and resiliency of the rail system. They face many challenges in their decision-making, including large and complex infrastructure asset networks; limited resources, time and information; a range of outcomes; conflicting goals; and uncertainties.

Planning, designing, and maintaining a rail system involves accounting for various multi-dimensional influential factors and conditions (including the topography, travel demand patterns, and land use and value) and numerous interconnected objectives, needs, and limitations that arise from the stakeholders involved (for example, the costs, operation safety, accessibility, punctuality, and travel time). Inadequate decisions often lead to longer travel times, inefficient space use, and overall resource wastage.

Therefore, this Special Issue will present and disseminate the most recent advances in optimization-based decision-making modelling, which is essential in developing and maintaining a reliable and cost-effective rail system. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Project evaluation models supporting decisions in developing new infrastructure and rehabilitating existing infrastructure;
  • Routing, alignment, and construction dynamics optimization models;
  • Track and vehicle interaction models describing influences on system design and performance;
  • Condition-based track maintenance models for proactive maintenance strategies;
  • Transport planning and scheduling models.

Dr. Maja Ahac
Prof. Dr. Stefano Ricci
Prof. Dr. Szabolcs Fischer
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • optimization 
  • infrastructure evaluation 
  • vehicle dynamics 
  • track degradation 
  • predictive maintenance 
  • transport organization

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

36 pages, 1590 KiB  
Article
Concept of an Integrated Urban Public Transport System Linked to a Railway Network Based on the Principles of a Timed-Transfer Timetable in the City of Prievidza
by Zdenka Bulková, Eva Brumerčíková, Bibiána Buková and Tomáš Mihalik
Systems 2025, 13(7), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13070543 (registering DOI) - 4 Jul 2025
Abstract
Urban public transport represents a fundamental pillar of a sustainable transport system and a key subsystem within the broader mobility framework in urban environments. This paper focuses on the analysis and optimization of the public transport system in the city of Prievidza and [...] Read more.
Urban public transport represents a fundamental pillar of a sustainable transport system and a key subsystem within the broader mobility framework in urban environments. This paper focuses on the analysis and optimization of the public transport system in the city of Prievidza and the nearby town of Bojnice in Slovakia, which currently face challenges such as low system attractiveness, operational inefficiency, and weak integration with regional railway transport. This study presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of existing public transport services in Prievidza and Bojnice, including an assessment of passenger flows, line network structure, transfer connections, and operational parameters. Based on the identified deficiencies, a new urban public transport network system is proposed, emphasizing direct links to the railway network. This methodology is developed in the context of an integrated timed-transfer timetable, with defined system time slots at the main transfer hub and a newly designed line network with standardized paths and regular intervals. The proposed system ensures significantly improved connectivity between urban transport and rail services, reduces deadhead kilometres, lowers the number of required vehicles, and leads to a reduction in operational costs by up to 20%. The resulting model serves as a transferable example of efficient service planning in medium-sized cities, with a focus on functional integration, operational efficiency, and sustainable urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering)
16 pages, 805 KiB  
Article
Using SWARA for the Evaluation Criteria of Connecting Airports with Railway Networks
by Jure Šarić and Borna Abramović
Systems 2025, 13(6), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13060428 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 395
Abstract
The optimisation of airport infrastructure capacities lacks adequate tools that would enable airport owners and managers to make strategic decisions related to sustainable development and strengthening multimodal connectivity. Assessing the sustainability of the transport system is one of the important issues in creating [...] Read more.
The optimisation of airport infrastructure capacities lacks adequate tools that would enable airport owners and managers to make strategic decisions related to sustainable development and strengthening multimodal connectivity. Assessing the sustainability of the transport system is one of the important issues in creating transport policies worldwide. In this research, the methodology of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) was used, which can be applied to decision making and the evaluation of transport projects, considering more than one criterion in the selection process. The Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method is one of the new MCDM methods. The SWARA method will assess the weights of the selected main criteria and sub-criteria for the multimodal connection of airports to the railway transport infrastructure. In this method, the expert plays an important role in the evaluation and calculation of the criteria weights. This research also aims to respond to the need to define a framework for objective and transparent decision-making based on the assessment of the weighting factors of the selected main criteria and sub-criteria. To assess the justification for the choice of railway transport for connecting airports, financial, traffic, environmental, and availability criteria were used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering)
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32 pages, 5130 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Optimization of Tunnel Construction Scheduling in a Reverse Construction Scenario
by Jianying Wei, Yuming Liu, Xiaochun Lu, Rong Zhao and Gan Wang
Systems 2025, 13(3), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13030168 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 924
Abstract
Tunnel construction, a critical aspect of railway engineering, is a repetitive process with distinct linear characteristics. While the Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) is widely used for scheduling optimization in linear projects, it struggles to accommodate dynamic construction sequences, reverse construction, and flexible team [...] Read more.
Tunnel construction, a critical aspect of railway engineering, is a repetitive process with distinct linear characteristics. While the Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) is widely used for scheduling optimization in linear projects, it struggles to accommodate dynamic construction sequences, reverse construction, and flexible team allocation. Minimizing the project duration is a primary objective in tunnel construction scheduling optimization. To optimize tunnel construction, we propose a duration-shortening method using additional working surfaces, adaptable to multi-segment and multi-team scenarios. A dynamic optimization model is developed for tunnel construction scheduling, integrating LSM, soft logic, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS) within a dynamic scheduling framework. This model analyzes logical relationships, work continuity, temporal and spatial constraints, and resource variation, focusing on reverse construction. The Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) approach is used to build the mathematical model, solved with both exact algorithms and Genetic Algorithms (GA), and implemented in Python 3.12.7. Both algorithms perform well, with the GA excelling at handling complex constraints. Case studies confirm the method’s effectiveness in optimizing durations, devising flexible schedules, and improving efficiency and practicality. This research provides both theoretical insights and practical guidance for tunnel construction scheduling optimization in railway engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering)
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21 pages, 9737 KiB  
Article
Crowd Management at Turnstiles in Metro Stations: A Pilot Study Based on Observation and Microsimulation
by Sebastian Seriani, Vicente Aprigliano, Alvaro Peña, Alexis Garrido, Bernardo Arredondo, Vinicius Minatogawa, Claudio Falavigna and Taku Fujiyama
Systems 2025, 13(2), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13020095 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1953
Abstract
Crowd management at turnstiles in metro stations is a critical task for ensuring safety, efficiency, and comfort for passengers. A methodology based on observation and microsimulation provides an advanced understanding and optimization of crowd flow through these turnstiles. The aim is to optimize [...] Read more.
Crowd management at turnstiles in metro stations is a critical task for ensuring safety, efficiency, and comfort for passengers. A methodology based on observation and microsimulation provides an advanced understanding and optimization of crowd flow through these turnstiles. The aim is to optimize crowd management and prevent overcrowding and delays at metro turnstiles through innovative solutions. The methodology is based on simulating passenger movements through turnstiles to observe and optimize crowd behavior. The results show that passenger decisions (e.g., choosing which turnstile to use, adjusting pace) are based on perceived crowd density, level of service, and usage of space. For instance, the number of turnstiles, their location, and the layout are important variables to be considered in the decision-making sequence. These decisions can be influenced by parameters like turnstile availability, walking paths, and real-time data (e.g., density of passengers). The methodology can help metro operators decide where to place additional turnstiles or adjust operational schedules. By simulating crowd behavior, operators can make informed decisions to reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of turnstile usage. This methodology could be implemented in various metro systems to optimize operations during different crowd conditions and peak times, ensuring smooth, safe, and efficient passenger flow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization-Based Decision-Making Models in Rail Systems Engineering)
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