RAILSIM Network Simulator

The latest in graphical operations simulation for:

capital improvements planning,
engineering,
scheduling,
dispatcher/operator training and
Geographic Information System implementation.

Clients use RAILSIM's powerful Graphic Editor to create and edit fully-detailed GIS databases, as shown above. Click the image to see a full screen image of the Staten Island Railway's Tottenville Terminal and the Signal Aspect Editor for defining the system's signal aspects.

Simulator Capacity

Powerful 32-bit processing,
Use of extended memory for virtually unlimited rail network size.

Typical RAILSIM Applications RAILSIM is used to optimize capital projects, evaluate line capacity, develop operating plans, analyze ridership and build GIS databases.
Capital Projects Planning	Upgrading track speeds, replacing turnouts for higher diverging movements, reconfiguring interlockings and modifying yard configurations can be evaluated using RAILSIM. The simulation software is also used for selecting among alternative expansion projects, such as line extensions, double tracking and new terminals.
Signal System Analysis	RAILSIM is used to evaluate critical capacity limitations due to signal block spacing and solutions for eliminating these constraints. Retrofitting new train control systems, such as replacing wayside signaling with automatic train operation (ATO), can be tested using RAILSIM. The integrated Signal Designer software add-on from SYSTRA Consulting generates detailed CAD-based signal block layouts, ready for simulation using RAILSIM. For line extensions and new designs, RAILSIM optimizes signal block design and confirms that capacity requirements are satisfied.
Timetable and Operating Plan Development	Rail planners use RAILSIM to test new timetables and operating plans as they are developed, ensuring that they can be effectively implemented. Changes in operating strategies -- routings, direction of traffic, terminal manipulations and station stops -- can be quickly tested and optimized.
Ridership Analysis	RAILSIM's powerful passenger modeling capabilities are used to match service with demand, to evaluate trip times, passenger waiting times, and train dwell times. Passenger flow reports detail the impacts of operating changes on rail system ridership.
Line Capacity	RAILSIM establishes line capacity for complex operations, where multiple classes of trains, different stopping patterns, signal system constraints and dispatching strategies all impose operating constraints. The precise locations of bottlenecks can be identified -- and solutions for improving line capacity tested.
Geographic Information Systems	RAILSIM brings GIS capabilities to rail systems, including detailed locational information for track, turnouts, signal systems, structures, grade crossings, wayside enclosures and many other features. Databases can be structured in true geographic coordinates, based on inputs from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, survey and track-mounted vehicle data sources.

RAILSIM Features

RAILSIM has the software features needed to accurately and easily simulate any rail system. Its latest features include:

Train Control Capabilities: The RAILSIM Network Simulator accurately simulates all North American train control systems, including:

User-defined signal aspects and operating rules,
Wayside/no cab, wayside/cab, cab/no wayside and Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technologies,
CTC, ABS and track warrant/manual block systems,
Mixture of cab signal equipped and non-equipped vehicles operating on the same system,
Transit system grade time and station time signaling.

Vehicle Performance Capabilities: The RAILSIM Network Simulator captures the unique attributes of all rolling stock operating on the rail system:

Up to 40 different classes of trains operating simultaneously,
User-defined performance and maximum speed characteristics for each class,
Braking and acceleration reaction times for each class,
User-defined train consists and lengths.

Operations Simulation Capabilities: RAILSIM Network Simulator simulates both planned and unexpected operating events including:

User-defined dispatching logic, including criteria such as schedule adherence, train class, minimizing of delay, time of day and direction,
Passenger volume modeling, including dynamic determination of train dwells and the impact of passenger loads on train acceleration and deceleration,
System disturbances and random events, including station dwells and equipment performance,
Interactive track speed restrictions, vehicle speed restrictions, vehicle performance reductions, extended station stops and tracks out of service.

The RAILSIM Network Simulator features run-time graphics showing train location, ID and direction of travel (as above), and other valuable information. Click the image to view two full simulate session screen shots.

User Interface: RAILSIM Network Simulator provides convenient data editing, simulation and report generation in a single software package. Its easy-to-use features include:

An on-line help key to provide specific information on data formats, program commands and output interpretation,
Three-button mouse support for entering and selecting different features and scrolling through the run-time color graphics of simulated operations,
A powerful graphic editor that allows users to build rail networks on the screen using a mouse and pop-up menus,
A powerful database editor which ensures that data is in the correct format and within reasonable user-definable ranges as it is entered or imported from other databases,
Support of both metric and imperial (American) measurement systems,
Extensive user documentation, including a color user manual with graphic "snapshots" of all RAILSIM menus and displays.

Graphical Displays: RAILSIM Network Simulator supports VGA and SVGA color graphics showing dynamic train operation, delays, signal aspects and switch movement during simulation. These features are ideal for operations analysis, management and public presentations:

Tracks, signal aspects and train positions are all updated continuously during simulation,
Graphic labels, station platforms, towers, undergrade bridges, overgrade bridges, waterways, track numbers and tunnel portals (each in a user-defined color) can be graphically displayed,
User-defined signal aspects, each consisting of up to three signal heads, are automatically displayed based on track occupancy, direction of traffic and interlocking route establishment,
User-selected simulation speed (greater, equal to or less than real time),
Simulation pause, scroll, scale and examine features,
Automatic location and tracking of any user-selected train,
Graphic highlighting of trains delayed by other trains ahead or by traffic locking,
Train color coding based on simulated versus scheduled performance (early, on-time, late) with user-defined lateness thresholds.

Output Reports: In addition to its run-time color graphics, RAILSIM features powerful output reporting. Each report covers a user-specified time period. Reports can be displayed on the screen, stored in a disk file or sent directly to a printer. Most reports also feature additional options, such as direction of travel, class of train or train number range:

Train report - scheduled versus simulated performance and routing from terminal to terminal,
Station report - all trains passing a selected location, along with track number and on-time performance,
Interlocking report - all trains passing the interlocking, their routes, conflicts encountered and on-time performance,
Signal delay report - all trains that were delayed (either slowed or stopped) by signals displaying reduced speed or stop aspects,
Lateness report - distribution of train on-time performance at a specified location,
Signal clear report - minimum train interval supported by the signal system, which defines same-direction line capacity,
Velocity profile report - train simulated velocity as it moves through the rail system,
Graphic string chart - time versus distance plots of all trains in a user-defined segment of the rail system,
Graphic station report - time-scaled graphic representation of track occupancy at a station, terminal or yard,
Graphic passenger flow report - passenger activity at each rail station, including dwell time impacts,
Graphic train report - plots any set of train performance variables, such as time, distance, velocity, acceleration, grade and/or maximum authorized speed,
Track use report - identifying train tonnage by rail segment,
Power report - simulated peak power demand and consumption by rail zone,
Key points report - train on-time performance and routes at key stations and/or interlockings,
Grade crossing report - summary of simulated gate down times at rail system grade crossings,
Train equipment report - summary statistics of simulated rolling stock, requirements, car-hours, car-miles, train-hours and train-miles for each rail service or operator/railroad in the simulation.
Compare runs report - summary statistics of train delays, train on-time performance, passenger travel times, and rolling stock requirements for multiple simulations.

Typical Rail Simulation Clients:

Canadian National Railway
CSX Transportation
Florida East Coast Railway
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Hudson-Bergen LRT System (New Jersey)
Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation
Los Angeles Country Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Long Island Rail Road
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Metro-North Railroad
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
NJ Transit Newark City Subway
NJ Transit Rail Operations
National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak)
New York City Transit
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Northeast Regional Illinois Commuter Railroad Corp. (METRA)
Port Authority of Allegheny County (PATransit)
Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO)
Sacramento Regional Transit District
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
Staten Island Railway
Toronto Transit Commission, and
Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA).

Click here to view RAILSIM System (Computer) Requirements

Additional Information: Contact SYSTRA Consulting, Inc. for licensing information and more details about RAILSIM's capabilities.

RAILSIM is a registered trademark of SYSTRA Consulting, Inc. All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.