Integrated optimization of line plan, sleeper train schedule, and maintenance schedule for high-speed rail network

In high-speed rail network, sleeper train operations require coordination with maintenance schedule to ensure safety. Existing research mostly has not integrated complete line plan into optimization, thus limiting the overall quality of sleeper train operations, passenger services, and maintenance within the network. Therefore, this paper introduces a predefined set of candidate routes satisfying certain operational restrictions and develops an integrated optimization model of line plan, sleeper train schedule and maintenance schedule in high-speed rail network by constructing variables for train operation and stop plan and embedding them into relevant constraints to further improve overall operation quality in network. A heuristic algorithm integrating VNS and CPLEX is designed, which enhances solution efficiency of model through master-subproblem decomposition along with specific neighbourhood design and linearization method. Case of China’s high-speed rail network shows that compared with split-step optimization, integrated optimization can realize maximum cost reduction of up to 9.7% under different scenarios.