Simulation of train breaking-up processes on sorting humps with consideration of human factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61089/aot2026.caa2j515Keywords:
Railway transport, freight transport, sorting stations, sorting humps, human factor, simulationAbstract
Disbanding of freight trains on sorting humps is a key process in railway transport. At most stations, this process still involves human operators controlling retarders and car speed. The lack of models that account for human participation limits both the reliable evaluation of hump automation measures and the application of computer-based train release planning tools. The purpose of this study is to improve the methods of modelling the disbanding trains on sorting humps to take into account human influence. The method of simulation modelling was used as the main research method. Determining the speed and time of rolling of the hitches is carried out by solving the differential equation of motion where distance is used as a variable. Setting the indicators of the process of disbanding of trains is carried out on the basis of the statistical processing of a series of calculation experiments on the rolling of cuts. In order to take into account the human participation in the process of disbanding the trains in the simulation model, additional restrictions are set on the choice of braking modes of the cuts, which are associated with the need to switch the attention of the operator during the simultaneous control of several braking positions, as well as with the transition of the controller between different tracks. The scientific novelty of the work consists in the improvement of the model of the disbanding of trains on the sorting humps, which, unlike the existing ones, allows to take into account the influence of operators of brake positions and speed regulators of cars on the indicators of the sorting process. The practical significance of the work lies in improving the evaluation of automated train release control systems and supporting the development of decision-support tools for train release planning under uncertainty in cut rolling characteristics and braking execution.
References
1. Banerjee, S., Hempel, M., & Sharif, H. (2017). A Survey of Railyard Worker Protection Approaches and System Design Considerations. 2017 Joint Rail Conference. https://doi.org/10.1115/jrc2017-2246
2. Barwell, F. T. (2013). Automation and control in transport (3rd ed.). Elsevier.
3. Bobrovskiy, V., Kozachenko, D., & Vernigora, R. (2014). Functional simulation of railway stations on the basis of finite-state automata. Transport Problems, 9(3), 57-65.
4. Bobrovskiy, V., Kozachenko, D., Dorosh, A., Demchenko, E., Bolvanovska, T., & Kolesnik, A. (2016). Probabilistic Approach for the Determination of Cuts Permissible Braking Modes on the Gravity Humps. Transport Problems, 11(1), 147-155. https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2016.11.1.14
5. Botirovich, J. S., Umarkhojaevich, S. S., Aktamovich, A. B., & Sheralievich, Z. B. (2022). Graphic results of determination of car movement on the sorting slope of the slide with a fair wind. International Journal of Scientific Trends, 1(3), 31-38.
6. Builds second large retarder yard to improve operations. (1948, October 30). Railway Age, 125(18), 88-91.
7. Cenek, P. (1996). Simulation of processes in a marshalling yard. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, 20. https://doi.org/10.2495/CR960501
8. Droege, J. A. (1912). Freight terminals and trains. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
9. Golightly, D., Lonergan, J., & Ethell, D. (2024). Human performance in the rail freight yard. Ergonomics, 68(5), 662-672. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2024.2375013
10. Guo, Y., Wen, Y., & Xiao, J. (2016). Research on the influence of 27t axle-load to the reliability analysis of hump reducer. 2016 International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), 546–549. https://doi.org/10.1109/iceaa.2016.7731451
11. Hill, R. J., & Petkova, M. (2000). Modelling and simulation of marshalling yard operation providing semi-continuous speed control. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, 50. https://doi.org/10.2495/CR000441
12. Innovative Approaches in Railway Management: Leveraging Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Predictive Maintenance of Track Geometry. (2024). Tehnicki Vjesnik – Technical Gazette, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.17559/tv-20240420001479
13. Kampczyk, A. (2023). Correlation of factors defining the calculation height of a hump. In Transport Problems 2023: Proceedings of the XV International Scientific Conference (pp. 289-295). Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering.
14. Khadjimuhametova, M. A. (2020). A modern approach to the formation of surface and elements of sorting slide profiles. JournalNX – A Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Journal, 6(7), 312-319.
15. Khadjimuhametova, M., Merganov, A., & Egamberdiev, R. (2022). An innovative method of designing the surface and elements of the hump profiles. 2021 Asia-pacific conference on applied mathematics and statistics, 2471, 030046. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0089818
16. Kozachenko, D., Bobrovskiy, V., & Demchenko, Y. (2018). A method for optimization of time intervals between rolling cuts on sorting humps. Journal of Modern Transportation, 26(3), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40534-018-0161-2
17. Kozachenko, D., Hermaniuk, Y., & Grevtsov, S. (2024). The influence of random factors on the estimation of the speed and time of rolling cuts from sorting humps. MATEC Web of Conferences, 390, 04001. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202439004001
18. Kurhan, M., Fischer, S., Tiutkin, O., Kurhan, D., & Hmelevska, N. (2024). Development of High-Speed Railway Network in Europe: A Case Study of Ukraine. Periodica Polytechnica Transportation Engineering, 52(2), 151-158. https://doi.org/10.3311/pptr.23464
19. Leveson, N. G. (2011). Engineering a Safer World: Systems Thinking Applied to Safety. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. 534 p. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/8179.001.0001
20. Lin, E., & Cheng, C. (2011). Simulation and analysis of railroad hump yards in North America. Proceedings of the 2011 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC). https://doi.org/10.1109/wsc.2011.6148064
21. Maxkamov, N., Djalilov, K., & Kamilov, K. (2021). About designing the height of the first profile of the marshalling hump. E3S Web of Conferences, 264, 05017. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202126405017
22. Meng, L. J., & Zhang, C. (2014). Computer implementation of hump checking. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 584-586, 1913-1916. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.584-586.1913
23. Mezitis, M., Panchenko, V., Kutsenko, M., & Maslii, A. (2019). Mathematical model for defining rational constructional technological parameters of marshalling equipment used during gravitational target braking of retarders. Procedia Computer Science, 149, 288-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2019.01.137
24. Moczarski, J. (2020). Modeling and simulation in the research of automatic wagon shunting control systems. In Proceedings of the 24th International Scientific Conference Transport Means 2020, Part 1. 81-84.
25. Monek, G. D., & Fischer, S. (2024). Expert Twin: A Digital Twin with an Integrated Fuzzy-Based Decision-Making Module. Decision Making: Applications in Management and Engineering, 8(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.31181/dmame8120251181
26. Nazarov, O. A. (2016). Reduction in cuts speed at the beginning of a sorting sidings, equipped with quasi-continuous speed control system. Science and Transport Progress, 4(64), 47-54. https://doi.org/10.15802/stp2016/77881
27. Naweed, A., Rainbird, S. (2015). Recovering time or chasing rainbows? Exploring time perception, conceptualization of time recovery, and time pressure mitigation in train driving. IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 3(2), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/21577323.2014.989339
28. Novytskyi, O., Taran, I., & Zhanbirov, Z. (2019). Increasing mine train mass by means of improved efficiency of service braking. E3S Web of Conferences, 123, 01034. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201912301034
29. Ohar, O., Berestov, I., Kutsenko, M., Smachilo, J., & Kogaro, Ii. (2020). Using the New Car Braking Systems in Marshalling Yards. ICTE in Transportation and Logistics 2019, 203-210. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39688-6_27
30. Ohar, O., Rozsokha, O., Kutsenko, M., & Smachilo, Y. (2017). Evaluation of the railway traffic safety level using the additive resultant indicator. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 6(3 (90)), 48-57. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2017.119237
31. Panchenko, S., Ohar, O., Kutsenko, M., & Smachilo, J. (2018). A method of complex calculation of rational structural parameters of railway humps. Acta Polytechnica, 58(6), 370-377. https://doi.org/10.14311/ap.2018.58.0370
32. Reinach, S., Viale, A. (2006). Application of a human error framework to conduct train accident/incident investigations. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 38(2), 396-406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2005.10.013
33. Rhodes, M. (2014). North American railyards: Updated and expanded edition. Voyageur Press.
34. Ryan, B., Golightly, D., Pickup, L., Reinartz, S., Atkinson, S., Dadashi, N. (2021). Human functions in safety - developing a framework of goals, human functions and safety relevant activities for railway socio-technical systems. Safety Science, 140, 105279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105279
35. Saidivaliev, Sh. U. (2023). Determining the kinematic parameters of railcar motion in Hump yard retarder positions. THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE CONSTRUCTION MECHANICS, HYDRAULICS AND WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING (CONMECHYDRO 2021 AS), 2612, 060016. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0115115
36. Sasor, M., Wydrych, J. (2004). Using fuzzy logic in order to determinate cut's out speed from wagon retarder-practical experiments. Zeszyty Naukowe. Transport/Politechnika Śląska, 55, 375-380.
37. Savage, N. P., Tuan, P. L., Gill, L. C., Ellis, H. T., & Wong, P. J. (1981). Railroad classification yard technology manual: Volume II: Yard computer systems (Report No. FRA/ORD-81/20.II; PB81-200578). Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development.
38. Signal Section, A.R.A. (1935). Hump yard systems (Chapter XXI). In American railway signaling principles and practices. A.R.A.
39. Smith, K. (2013). Putting the brakes on hump yard noise. International Railway Journal, 53(6), 43-44.
40. Staccioli, J., & Virgillito, M. E. (2021). Back to the past: the historical roots of labor-saving automation. Eurasian Business Review, 11(1), 27-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40821-020-00179-1
41. Trykoz, L. V., & Bagiyanc, I. V. (2017). Failure-free operation of classification yards through technology optimization. TTS Technika Transportu Szynowego, (7-8), 76-80.
42. Tyler Dick, C. (2021). Quantifying the Relative Influence of Railway Hump Classification Yard Performance Factors. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems, 147(8). https://doi.org/10.1061/jtepbs.0000529
43. Ursarova, A., Mussaliyeva, R., Mussabayev, B., Kozachenko, D., & Vernyhora, R. (2022). Multi-criteria evaluation of professional qualities of railway dispatching personnel using computer simulations. Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu, 2, 141-147. https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2022-2/141
44. Wagner, A., Haramina, H., & Michelberger, F. (2021). Proposal of an Ergonomic Interface for Supervision and Control of an Automated Shunting Device. Proceedings of the 8th International Ergonomics Conference, 241-249. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66937-9_27
45. Wong, P. J., Sakasita, M., Stock, W. A., Elliott, C. V., & Hackworth, M. A. (1981). Railroad classification yard technology manual: Volume I: Yard design methods (Report No. FRA/ORD-81/20.I; PB81-200560). Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development.
46. Yao, J., Huang, Y., Jiang, G., Gao, S., Xiao, R., & Yu, H. (2015). Design and its characteristic analysis of a wheeled train uncoupling robot with multi-degrees-of-freedom. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 230(10), 1673-1684. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954406215582017
47. Zarecky, S., Grun, J., & Zilka, J. (2008). The newest trends in marshalling yards automation. Transport Problems, 3(4), 87-95.
48. Zhang, C., & Li, Y. (2010). Analysis of over-speed coupling accidents on hump based on fuzzy Petri Net. 2010 IEEE 17Th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, 1014-1018. https://doi.org/10.1109/icieem.2010.5646453
49. Zhang, C., & Li, Y. (2010). Research on Multi-objective Optimization of Vertical Section of the Hump Pushing Zone. 2010 International Conference on Optoelectronics and Image Processing, 262-265. https://doi.org/10.1109/icoip.2010.274
50. Zhang, C., Wei, Y., Xiao, G., Wang, Z., & Fu, J. (2000). Analysis of Hump Automation in China. Traffic and Transportation Studies (2000), 285-290. https://doi.org/10.1061/40503(277)45
51. Zhang, H.-L., Yang, H., & Xia, S.-L. (2015). Effect of meteorological data accuracy on hump height design. Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology, 15(3), 185-189.
52. Zhang, H., Yang, J., & Yang, T. (2017). Multiobjective Optimization Model for Profile Design of Hump Distributing Zone. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2017(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9318025
53. Zhao, J., Dick, C. T., & Kang, D. (2022). Analysis of Derailment Severity Comparing Unit Trains at Transload Terminals and Manifest Trains at Railroad Switching and Hump Classification Yards. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2677(5), 793-811. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981221137593
54. Zhu, Z., Liu, X., & Zhang, Q. (2009). Using ATIS Realizing Detection of Coupling Distance. International Conference on Transportation Engineering 2009, 4441-4446. https://doi.org/10.1061/41039(345)731
55. Zhukovyts’kyy, I., & Pakhomova, V. (2018). Research of token ring network options in automation system of marshalling yard. Transport Problems, 13(2), 149-158. https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2018.13.2.14
56. Zvolenský, P., Grenčík, J., Pultznerová, A., & Kašiar, Ľ. (2017). Research of noise emission sources in railway transport and effective ways of their reduction. MATEC Web of Conferences, 107, 00073. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201710700073
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Archives of Transport journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
