Optimal locomotive assignment for a railroad network
US6587738B1 · kind B1 · utility
35Cited by
7References
48Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L27/16
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A computer-implemented method for optimizing locomotive assignments on a railroad network. The locomotives are assigned to power and signaling classes, based on equipment installed within each locomotive. An objective function is set forth that considers the cost of moving extra power in the network, the penalties incurred for late train departures due to the failure to assign an appropriately-equipped locomotive and the cost of train operation. Various constraints are set forth that must be taken into consideration when optimizing the objective function.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.