Train Planning for Through Operation Between Intercity and High-Speed Railways: Enhancing Sustainability Through Integrated Transport Solutions

Li Lin, Xuelei Meng (), Kewei Song, Liping Feng, Zheng Han and Ximan Xia
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Li Lin: School of Rail Transportation, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, China
Xuelei Meng: School of Traffic and Transportation, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Kewei Song: Postdoctoral Research Station in Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Liping Feng: School of Rail Transportation, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, China
Zheng Han: China Railway Design Corporation, Tianjin 300308, China
Ximan Xia: School of Traffic and Transportation, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-34

Abstract: In order to advocate for green and environmentally friendly travel modes, enhance the attractiveness of rail transit, and promote the sustainable development of rail transport, we focus on the transportation organization problem under limited-resource conditions. This paper studies the formulation of a train plan under the condition of through operation between intercity and high-speed railway, constructing a multi-objective nonlinear optimization model with train frequency, a stop plan, and turn-back station locations as decision variables. Given the high dimensionality of model variables and complex constraints, an improved multi-population genetic algorithm (IMGA) is designed. Through an actual case study of the through operation between the Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan Intercity Railway and the Chengdu–Chongqing High-Speed Railway, a staged solution method is adopted for analysis. The results indicate that the through-operation mode can save operational costs for enterprises and travel costs for passengers, while also better adapting to changes in passenger flow. Additionally, the IMGA demonstrates better solution quality and higher efficiency compared to the classical genetic algorithm. The main contribution of this paper is to propose a novel approach to solve the train plan problem. It also contributes to creating a high-quality, high-efficiency, and high-comfort integrated transportation service network, promoting the sustainable development of rail transit.

Keywords: train plan; intercity railway; high-speed railway; through operation; improved multi-population genetic algorithm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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