A multiobjective model for passenger train services planning: Application to Taiwan's high-speed rail line

This paper develops a multiobjective programming model for the optimal allocation of passenger train services on an intercity high-speed rail line without branches. Minimizing the operator's total operating cost and minimizing the passenger's total travel time loss are the two planning objectives of the model. For a given many-to-many travel demand and a specified operating capacity, the model is solved by a fuzzy mathematical programming approach to determine the best-compromise train service plan, including the train stop-schedule plan, service frequency, and fleet size. An empirical study on the to-be-built high-speed rail system in Taiwan is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. The case study shows that an optimal set of stop-schedules can always be generated for a given travel demand. To achieve the best planning outcome, the number and type of stop-schedules should be flexibly planned, and not constrained by specific stopping schemes as often set by the planner.