Iterative algorithms for the curfew planning problem

The curfew planning problem is to design an annual timetable for railway track maintenance teams. Each team is capable of handling certain types of repairs and replacement jobs. The jobs are combined into a set of projects according to their locations and types. The timetable shows which project should be worked on by each team on a weekly basis throughout an entire year. Our objective is to design a schedule with minimum network disruption due to ongoing maintenance projects that require absolute curfew. Absolute curfew projects are those that cause complete closure of the rail traffic. For tackling this problem, we develop four optimization‐based iterative algorithms. We also present very promising computational results obtained within a few minutes using data provided by a major North American railroad.