Capacity for express trains on mixed traffic lines

Mixed traffic with large speed differences between fast and slower trains consumes more capacity and makes the system sensitive to disruptions. This article focuses on adequate train configuration for increasing the top speed for express trains like the Green Train and how that affects capacity on lines with heterogeneous traffic. Microscopic simulation of a future timetable selected by criteria revealed by analytical timetable analysis for a chosen structure of services combines the advantages of two methods and makes it possible to reveal relevant characteristics for different alternatives. Punctual short stops through better train layout and skip-stop operation for regional trains are a few of the measures that are shown to have compensating effects for the increase in capacity utilisation and can reduce disruptions. Although it is possible to reduce the perturbations by means of different measures, the basic problem with mixing fast and slower trains on the same line still remains.