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 2814
Special Issue Editors
Interests: railway engineering; urban transport; traffic systems; infrastructure monitoring
Interests: transport systems engineering; railway and maritime transport
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
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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