Academic literature on the topic 'Timetables'
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Journal articles on the topic "Timetables"
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Sapar, Gaurav, Arbaj Shaikh, and Pratik Divekar. "Smart Timetable System Using AI and ML." Journal of Computer Networks and Virtualization 2, no. 1 (April 24, 2024): 21–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.48001/jocnv.2024.2121-23.
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Professional colleges have distinct course offerings, each with its own curriculum that covers a variety of disciplines. Teachers in various universities teach unique subjects in different semesters, and outside of the same semester, the academy focuses on two distinct topics. The most significant charge is that the timetable must be programmed in accordance with the college's provided time slots, with timetables ordered so that faculty timings do not clash. The timetable no longer overlaps with their various schedules and timetables.
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Palmqvist, Carl-William, Nils O. E. Olsson, and Lena Winslott Hiselius. "The Planners’ Perspective on Train Timetable Errors in Sweden." Journal of Advanced Transportation 2018 (2018): 1–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8502819.
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Timetables are important for train punctuality. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the people who plan the timetables: the research has instead been more centred on how to improve timetables through simulation, optimisation, and data analysis techniques. In this study, we present an overview of the state of practice and the state of the art in timetable planning by studying the research literature and railway management documents from several European countries. We have also conducted interviews with timetable planners in Southern Sweden, focusing on how timetable planning relates to punctuality problems. An important backdrop for this is a large project currently underway at the Swedish Transport Administration, modernizing the timetable planning tools and processes. This study is intended to help establish a baseline for the future evaluation of this modernization by documenting the current process and issues, as well as some of the research that has influenced the development and specifications of the new tools and processes. Based on the interviews, we found that errors in timetables commonly lead to infeasible timetables, which necessitate intervention by traffic control, and to delays occurring, increasing, and spreading. We found that the timetable planners struggle to create a timetable and that they have neither the time nor the tools required to ensure that the timetable maintains a high quality and level of robustness. The errors we identified are (a) crossing train paths at stations, (b) wrong track allocation of trains at stations, especially for long trains, (c) insufficient dwell and meet times at stations, and (d) insufficient headways leading to delays spreading. We have identified eleven reasons for these errors and found three themes among these reasons: (1) “missing tools and support,” (2) “role conflict,” and (3) “single-loop learning.” As the new tools and processes are rolled out, the situation is expected to improve with regard to the first of these themes. The second theme of role conflict occurs when planners must strive to meet the demands of the train operating companies, while they must also be unbiased and create a timetable that has a high overall quality. While this role conflict will remain in the future, the new tools can perhaps help address the third theme by elevating the planners from first- to double-loop learning and thereby allowing them to focus on quality control and on finding better rules and heuristics. Over time, this will lead to improved timetable robustness and train punctuality.
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Uma, P., P. S. Sharvesh, M. Pradeep, P. Sathishkumar, and R. Senthilnathan. "Automatic Timetable Generation." International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 11, no. 4 (April 30, 2023): 417–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.50110.
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Abstract: Generating a timetable manually for educational institutions can be a tedious task for educators, as each grade has a predefined education scheme and faculty workload that needs to be taken into account. The challenge lies in preparing a timetable that does not overlap with the schedules of the faculty members and can efficiently utilize all available resources. To overcome these difficulties, our project proposes the use of algorithms such as Evolutionary Algorithm, Tabu Search, Simulated Annealing, and scatter search. The proposed system will take inputs such as grade-wise subjects, teachers, and workload, and generate a possible timetable for the working days of the week. The system will integrate these inputs to make optimal use of all resources while adhering to the predefined constraints. This will help overcome the constraints that appear in the manual timetable generation process, resulting in timetables for any number of courses and grades. The implementation of this proposed system will provide a dynamic solution with the best approach, making it easier for educationalists to manage and set timetables. It will eliminate the complexity of manually generating and managing timetables, providing an efficient and effective solution to this challenging task
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Yusop, Noorrezam. "A Systematic Literature Review: Optimization Timetable in Education to Support Work-Life Balance (WLB)." Journal of Computing Research and Innovation 7, no. 2 (September 30, 2022): 316–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.24191/jcrinn.v7i2.324.
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Scheduling academic staff timetables is crucial and necessary to avoid redundancy and clash of class between teacher and student timetables. A good timetable allows students and teachers to manage their time and support a good and healthy lifestyle. However, with the scheduling, academic staff timetable may use many procedures to get efficient results. Therefore, this paper provides a gap of study for existing work on Optimization Timetable to support Work-Life Balance (WLB) regarding their market commercial and research purposes. The methodology of this study was conducted using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Result: two findings investigate 1) relevant optimization timetable scheduling used and 2) the method for timetable optimization to support WLB. The strengths and weaknesses of the features and utilities behind each study are also presented to provide a further understanding of the gaps and weaknesses of each body of research. We conclude that these studies are still insufficient and require further evaluation and improvement.
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Cheuk, Sharon, and Samuel Ye Ler Chai. "Auto Timetable Management Mobile Application." Trends in Undergraduate Research 6, no. 2 (December 29, 2023): c1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.33736/tur.5730.2023.
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In this fast-paced lifestyle, we play multiple roles and bear different responsibilities. This kind of lifestyle needs proper time management skills to look after the tasks and duties that have been entrusted. In order to do time management effectively, tools such as timetables are commonly adopted. Rescheduling of a timeslot in a timetable could happen due to certain unforeseen events that require immediate action. The rearrangement of one timeslot could possibly affect another timeslot in a timetable, essentially, it needs extra time and effort to draw new planning. In this paper, we proposed to develop an auto timetable scheduling mobile application to combat the hustle of manual timetable management. By assigning priority levels and constraints such as the preferred time and date of a task, the proposed application can reschedule and generate a new timetable automatically. With the proposed application, we claim that users can reduce the hustle of creating and managing their timetables in a manual way.
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Gorbachev, A. M. "Mathematical model of aperiodic timetables of urban electric transport." Automation on Transport 6, no. 4 (December 2020): 499–517. http://dx.doi.org/10.20295/2412-9186-2020-6-4-499-517.
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The analysis of scientifi c publications and timetable models is given. Existing works have been used as a basis of a classification of timetables by the frequency of time values. The urban transport network is presented in the form of a multigraph. The transition from a multigraph of the urban transport network to a network of events characterizing the traffi c process is considered. Constraints on time values have been formalized to solve the main problem of the scheduling theory. The proposed formalization factors in the specifi cs of traffic management planning in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. A mathematical model of aperiodic timetables for the ground urban electric transport traffic based on the theory of linear programming is presented. The optimization criterion for solving the main problem of the scheduling theory has been substantiated. The uniformity of traffi c intervals is used as an optimization criterion for solving the main problem of the scheduling theory. The article provides tabular timetables used in urban transport to describe the traffi c process in the absence of significant events on the line. The implementation of the model presented in this article is exemplified by the automated tram and trolleybus timetable design software being part of the automated urban electric transport control system currently used in Saint Petersburg to form tram and trolleybus timetables. The examples of calculating the vehicle departure interval diagrams have been used to demonstrate the function of aligning the traffi c intervals. In conclusion, the advantages and development paths of the proposed model of aperiodic timetables for the ground urban electric transport traffic are listed
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Liao, Zhengwen, Haiying Li, Jianrui Miao, and Lingyun Meng. "Estimating the Railway Network Capacity Utilization with Mixed Train Routes and Stopping Patterns: A Multiobjective Optimization Approach." Journal of Advanced Transportation 2024 (February 15, 2024): 1–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5467767.
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Railway capacity estimation problem is typically defined as estimating the maximum number of trains that can be operated in a railway section within a given time interval. However, trains with different speeds, routes, and stopping patterns in a railway network will likely compete for the limited capacity of network nodes and sections. As these trains may provide different services, it is ambiguous to simply indicate the network capacity by a scalar number of trains. To comprehensively estimate and interpret the railway capacity considering the capacity competition between heterogeneous trains, we propose a multiobjective perspective for the capacity estimation problem to enrich the capacity theory while handling the competition among trains with different routes and stopping patterns. Based on a time-space network timetable saturation model, we extend the multiobjective capacity estimation approach to the detailed timetable level by optimizing the saturated timetable under capacity estimation objectives with respect to different routes and stopping patterns. With the ε-constraint method, we can obtain the Pareto front of saturated timetables, i.e., a set of nondominated optimized timetables that no more candidate train can be additionally scheduled. The result is a more comprehensive capacity representation than a single absolute scalar number. A case study is conducted on a combined high-speed and intercity network of Zhengzhou Railway group in China. An extensive set of Pareto-optimal saturated timetables describing the effects on the capacity of the railway network is obtained. The results can help infrastructure managers select saturated timetables as the capacity utilization reference by considering the trade-off between time indexes from passengers’ and operators’ perspectives.
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Nguyen, Phuc, Nicholas A. Pease, and Hao Yuan Kueh. "Scalable control of developmental timetables by epigenetic switching networks." Journal of The Royal Society Interface 18, no. 180 (July 2021): 20210109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0109.
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During development, progenitor cells follow timetables for differentiation that span many cell generations. These developmental timetables are robustly encoded by the embryo, yet scalably adjustable by evolution, facilitating variation in organism size and form. Epigenetic switches, involving rate-limiting activation steps at regulatory gene loci, control gene activation timing in diverse contexts, and could profoundly impact the dynamics of gene regulatory networks controlling developmental lineage specification. Here, we develop a mathematical framework to model regulatory networks with genes controlled by epigenetic switches. Using this framework, we show that such epigenetic switching networks uphold developmental timetables that robustly span many cell generations, and enable the generation of differentiated cells in precisely defined numbers and fractions. Changes to epigenetic switching networks can readily alter the timing of developmental events within a timetable, or alter the overall speed at which timetables unfold, enabling scalable control over differentiated population sizes. With their robust, yet flexibly adjustable nature, epigenetic switching networks could represent central targets on which evolution acts to manufacture diversity in organism size and form.
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Meng, Xuelei, Limin Jia, and Wanli Xiang. "A Petri Net Model of Train Operation Simulation for Harmonizing Train Timetables of Neighbor Dispatching Sections." PROMET - Traffic&Transportation 30, no. 6 (December 21, 2018): 647–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.7307/ptt.v30i6.2713.
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Train timetable is the key document to regulate railway traffic through sequencing train movements to keep the appropriate order. Timetable stability and on-schedule rate are closely related. Delays caused by disturbances in train operations can be absorbed by a high quality timetable with high stability, and the on-schedule rate then can be assured. This paper improves the stability of timetables of several connected railway sections to assure the on-schedule rate with a simulation method. Firstly, we build a macroscopic network model of train operation in a railway network using the Petri net theory. Then we design the train tracking subnet model, the station subnet model and arrival-departure track subnet model. At last we propose a computing case, simulating the train operation process based on the presented models, and the simulation results prove the feasibility and availability of the models. The approach presented in this paper can offer valuable decision-support information for railway operators preparing train timetables.
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He, Li, Lei Chen, Jin Liu, Clive Roberts, Saijun Yu, and Xujie Feng. "Passenger Flow-Oriented Metro Operation without Timetables." Applied Sciences 12, no. 10 (May 15, 2022): 4999. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app12104999.
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Unpredictable fluctuant passenger flow usually exists in urban metro operations. In this situation, traditional predetermined metro timetables cannot always meet the variation of passenger flow, and thus the service quality of the metro system could be affected profoundly. In this paper, by introducing an innovative metro operation method without timetables, we develop a nonlinear integer programming model to continually optimise the train operation to deal with detected real-time passenger flow variations. We aim to minimise the total passenger waiting time in the research time horizon under the vehicle number constraint. A modified genetic algorithm integrated with a macroscopic metro simulator is adopted to solve the proposed model. A case study based on the Beijing Metro Line 19 is implemented to provide a quantitative result for evaluating the proposed passenger flow-oriented metro operation method without timetables. Compared to traditional timetable-based metro operation, the method could significantly improve the metro operation’s flexibility and the quality of services.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Timetables"
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Andersson, Emma V. "Assessment of Robustness in Railway Traffic Timetables." Licentiate thesis, Linköpings universitet, Kommunikations- och transportsystem, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-103676.
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A tendency seen for the last decades in many European railway networks is a growing demand for capacity. An increased number of operating trains has led to a delay sensitive system where it is hard to recover from delays, where even relatively small delays are easily propagating to other traffic. The overall aim of this thesis is to analyse the robustness of railway traffic timetables; why delays are propagating in the network and how the timetable design and dispatching strategies influence the delays. In this context we want to establish quantitative measures of timetable robustness. There is a need for measures that can be used by the timetable constructors. Measures that identify where and how to improve the robustness and thereby indicating how and where margin time should be inserted. It is also important that the measures can capture interdependencies between different trains. In this thesis we introduce the concept of critical points, which is a practical approach to identify robustness weaknesses in a timetable. In contrast to other measures, critical points can be used to identify specific locations in both time and space. The corresponding measure, Robustness in Critical Points (RCP) provides the timetable constructors with concrete suggestions for which trains that should be given more runtime or headway margin. The measure also identifies where the margin time should be allocated to achieve a higher robustness. In a case study we show that the delay propagation is highly related to the operational train dispatching. This study shows that the current prioritisation rule used in Sweden results in an economic inefficiency and therefore should be revised. This statement is further supported by RCP and the importance of giving the train dispatchers more flexibility to efficiently solve conflict situations.
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Sandhu, Kuldeep Singh, and n/a. "Automating Class Schedule Generation in the Context of a University Timetabling Information System." Griffith University. School of Management, 2003. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20030825.121338.
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This thesis examines the university timetable generation problem. It begins with a discussion on the conflicting terminology used and differentiates between the terms scheduling and timetabling. This discussion integrates with an overview of the problem itself both from practical and academic perspectives. This is followed by a summary of the apparently effective timetable solution generation algorithms. The literature is then examined in detail from that perspective. This literature review is then summarised in a form to highlight the use of these different solution algorithms. A classification schema is developed and the summary of the literature presented within the framework of this schema. Trends in the research literature result from this presentation and an extrapolation to future research trends are suggested. An information system based upon the need to support timetable production and maintenance is presented. Given the very practical outcomes expected of timetable research, the information system was designed to enable the whole range of administrative functions performed by teachers to be either directly supported or readily modified to prove such support. The implementation of this particular system is given and resulting timetables are presented and discussed. The system generated manual and automated timetables and these were produced by trailing a number of objective functions. It was noted that the determination of the optimal objective function is dominated by specific individual institutional criteria. It is suggested that this would make a more than significant project for future information systems research. From the literature it is noted that the timetable generation problem, as reported time and time again in the literature, has been solved. Such claims lead to a benchmark which is proposed to enable an initial comparison of the effectiveness of proposed solutions by different researchers. The thesis then presents a summary of the work that was carried out and offers direction for future research. It is noted that despite the fifty years of research conducted into this area there exists a significant number of research avenues still to be pursued.
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Sandhu, Kuldeep Singh. "Automating Class Schedule Generation in the Context of a University Timetabling Information System." Thesis, Griffith University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366189.
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This thesis examines the university timetable generation problem. It begins with a discussion on the conflicting terminology used and differentiates between the terms scheduling and timetabling. This discussion integrates with an overview of the problem itself both from practical and academic perspectives. This is followed by a summary of the apparently effective timetable solution generation algorithms. The literature is then examined in detail from that perspective. This literature review is then summarised in a form to highlight the use of these different solution algorithms. A classification schema is developed and the summary of the literature presented within the framework of this schema. Trends in the research literature result from this presentation and an extrapolation to future research trends are suggested. An information system based upon the need to support timetable production and maintenance is presented. Given the very practical outcomes expected of timetable research, the information system was designed to enable the whole range of administrative functions performed by teachers to be either directly supported or readily modified to prove such support. The implementation of this particular system is given and resulting timetables are presented and discussed. The system generated manual and automated timetables and these were produced by trailing a number of objective functions. It was noted that the determination of the optimal objective function is dominated by specific individual institutional criteria. It is suggested that this would make a more than significant project for future information systems research. From the literature it is noted that the timetable generation problem, as reported time and time again in the literature, has been solved. Such claims lead to a benchmark which is proposed to enable an initial comparison of the effectiveness of proposed solutions by different researchers. The thesis then presents a summary of the work that was carried out and offers direction for future research. It is noted that despite the fifty years of research conducted into this area there exists a significant number of research avenues still to be pursued.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Management
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Vautard, Félix. "Improvement of departure time suitability for interregional rail timetables." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Transportplanering, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-272220.
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In order to respond to growing interregional rail traffic, rail capacity should be allocated better. To achieve this, one possibility is to optimise suitability of departure times for rail passengers in the timetabling process. The suitability of departure and arrival times refers to how well the timetable can diminish constraints on passengers that must adapt their activities to train schedules. However, current knowledge on this issue is limited. Indeed, only few studies have quantified how passengers valuate departure time suitability. These studies are also quite brief in their coverage of the influence of travellers’ profiles on these valuations. In addition, current methods comparing the socioeconomic consequences of different timetables are not applicable in all contexts, and most of them rely on strong simplifications. In summary, this thesis aims to answer the following research questions: - What are the determinants for passenger valuations of departure time suitability? How to improve the welfare assessment of departure time shifts in interregional timetables? In paper 1, I focus on the first research question. To this end, we present a new study in which we estimate new valuations of departure time suitability. To achieve this, we conducted a stated-preference survey on several Swedish rail lines. We present the design of the survey and its result in the paper. With this work, I aim to fulfil two objectives: first, to provide figures to improve inputs for travel demand forecast models and socioeconomic assessments. Second, to determine the influence of trip characteristics and traveller’s socioeconomic profile on their valuations. In paper 2, I focus on the second research question. To this end, we present a method that enables calculating changes in welfare due to departure time shifts in any interregional timetable. In this method, we bridge schedule-based model forecasts with cost-benefit analysis framework. This enables a better approximation of consumer and producer surplus than in previous literature. In addition, we show the applicability and potential of our method on a case study covering a Swedish interregional line.
För att svara mot den växande interregionala järnvägstrafiken bör järnvägskapaciteten fördelas bättre. För att uppnå detta kan man i tidtabellsprocessen optimera lämpligheten för tågpassagerares avgångstid. Lämpligheten för avgångs- och ankomsttider avser tidtabellens förmåga att minska passagerarnas begränsningar när de måste anpassa sin verksamhet efter tågplanen. Men det finns en brist i aktuella kunskaper i denna fråga. Faktum är att endast få studier har kvantifierat hur passagerare värderar lämplighet för avgångstid. Dessa studier är också ganska översiktliga i sin beskrivning av hur resenärers profiler påverkar värderingarna. Dessutom är de nuvarande metoderna som jämför de socioekonomiska konsekvenserna av olika tidtabeller inte tillämpliga i alla sammanhang, och de flesta av dem förlitar sig på starka förenklingar. Sammanfattningsvis har denna avhandling syftat på att svara följande forskningsfrågor: 1. Vilka faktorer påverkar passagerares utvärdering av lämpligheten för avgångs- och ankomsttider? 2. Hur kan man förbättra utvärderingen av skillnader i välfärd av varierande avgångstider för interregionala tåg? I artikel 1 behandlar vi första forskningsfrågan. För detta ändamål presenterar vi en ny studie där vi analyserar nya värderingar av lämplighet för avgångstid. För att uppnå detta genomförde vi en stated-preference undersökning på tre svenska järnvägslinjer. Vi presenterar undersökningens utformning och dess resultat i uppsatsen. Med detta arbete syftar vi till att uppfylla två mål: för det första, att tillhandahålla siffror för att förbättra indata i prognosmodeller för reseefterfrågan och samhällsekonomiska bedömningar. För det andra, att bestämma påverkan av resans egenskaper och resenärers socioekonomiska profil på värderingarna. I artikel 2 behandlar vi den andra forskningsfrågan. För detta ändamål presenterar vi en metod som gör det möjligt att beräkna förändringen i välfärd på grund av förskjutningar i avgångstiderna i en interregional tidtabell. I den här metoden överbryggar vi kunskapen i schemalagda modeller med kostnadsnyttoanalysramen. Detta möjliggör en bättre uppskattning av konsument- och producentöverskott än i tidigare litteratur. Dessutom visar vi användbarheten av vår metod i en fallstudie som täcker en svensk interregional linje.
QC 20200423
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Högdahl, Johan. "A Simulation-Optimization Approach for Improved Robustness of Railway Timetables." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Transportplanering, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-263761.
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The timetable is an essential part for the operations of railway traffic, and its quality is considered to have large impact on capacity utilization and reliability of the transport mode. The process of generating a timetable is most often a manual task with limited computer aid, and is known to be a complex planning problem due to inter-train dependencies. These inter-train dependencies makes it hard to manually generate feasible timetables, and also makes it hard to improve a given timetable as new conflicts and surprising effects easily can occur. As the demand for railway traffic is expected to continue grow, higher frequencies and more saturated timetables are required. However, in many European countries there is also an on-going public debate on the punctuality of the railway, which may worsen by increased capacity utilization. It is therefore also a need to increase the robustness of the services. This calls for increased precision of both the planning and the operation, which can be achieved with a higher degree of automation. The research in this thesis is aimed at improving the robustness of railway timetables by combining micro-simulation with mathematical optimization, two methods that today are used frequently by practitioners and researchers but rarely in combination. In this research a sequential approach based on simulating a given timetable and re-optimizing it to reduce the weighted sum of scheduled travel time and predicted average delay is proposed. The approach has generated promising results in simulation studies, in which it has been possible to substantially improve the punctuality and reduce the average delays by only increasing the advertised travel times slightly. Further, the results have also indicated a positive socio-economic benefit. This demonstrates the methods potential usefulness and motivates further research.För järnvägen har tidtabellen en central roll, och dess kvalité har stor betydelse för kapacitet och tillförlitlighet. Processen att konstruera en tidtabell är ofta en uppgift som utförs manuellt med begränsat datorstöd och på grund av beroenden mellan enskilda tåg är det ofta ett tidskrävande och svårt arbete. Dessa tågberoenden gör det svårt att manuellt konstruera konfliktfria tidtabeller samtidigt som det också är svårt att manuellt förbättra en given tidtabell, vilket beror på att de är svårt att förutsäga vad effekten av en given ändring blir. Eftersom efterfrågan på järnväg fortsatt förväntas öka, finns det ett behov av att kunna köra fler tåg. Samtidigt pågår det redan i många europeiska länder en offentlig debatt om järnvägen punktlighet, vilken riskeras att försämras vid högre kapacitetsanvändning. Därför finns det även ett behov av att förbättra tidtabellernas robusthet, där robusthet syftar till en tidtabells möjlighet att stå emot och återhämta mindre förseningar. För att hantera denna målkonflikt kommer det behövas ökad precision vid både planering och drift, vilket kan uppnås med en högre grad av automation. Forskningen i denna avhandling syftar till att förbättra robustheten för tågtidtabeller genom att kombinera mikro-simulering med matematisk optimering, två metoder som redan används i hög grad av både yrkesverksamma trafikplanerare och forskare men som sällan kombineras. I den här avhandlingen förslås en sekventiell metod baserad på att simulera en given tidtabell och optimera den för att minska den viktade summan av planerad restid och predikterad medelförsening. Metoden har visat på lovande resultat i simuleringsstudier, där det har varit möjligt att uppnå en väsentligt bättre punktlighet och minskad medelförsening, genom att endast förlänga de planerade restiderna marginellt. Även förbättrad samhällsekonomisk nytta har observerats av att tillämpa den föreslagna metoden. Sammantaget visar detta metodens potentiella nytta och motiverar även fortsatt forskning.
QC 20191112
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Khoshniyat, Fahimeh. "Optimization-Based Methods for Revising Train Timetables with Focus on Robustness." Licentiate thesis, Linköpings universitet, Kommunikations- och transportsystem, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-132920.
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With increase in the use of railway transport, ensuring robustness in railway timetables has never been this important. In a dense railway timetable even a small disturbance can propagate easily and affect trains' arrival and departure times. In a robust timetable small delays are absorbed and knock-on effects are prevented effectively. The aim of this thesis is to study how optimization tools can support the generation of robust railway traffic timetables. We address two Train Timetabling Problems (TTP) and for both problems we apply Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to solve them from network management perspectives. The first problem is how robustness in a given timetable can be assessed and ensured. To tackle this problem, a headway-based method is introduced. The proposed method is implemented in real timetables and evaluated from performance perspectives. Furthermore, the impact of the proposed method on capacity utilization, heterogeneity and the speed of trains, is monitored. Results show that the proposed method can improve robustness without imposing major changes in timetables. The second problem addressed in the thesis is how robustness can be assessed and maintained in a given timetable when allocating additional traffic and maintenance slots. Different insertion strategies are studied and their consequences on capacity utilization and on the properties of the timetables are analyzed. Two different insertion strategies are considered: i) simultaneous and ii) stepwise insertion. The results show that inserting the additional trains simultaneously usually results in generating more optimal solutions. However, solving this type of problem is computationally challenging. We also observed that the existing robustness metrics cannot capture the essential properties of having more robust timetables. Therefore we proposed measuring Channel Width, Channel Width Forward, Channel Width Behind and Track Switching. Furthermore, the experimental analysis of the applied MILP model shows that some cases are computationally hard to solve and there is a need to decrease the computation time. Hence several valid inequalities are developed and their effects on the computation time are analyzed. This thesis contains three papers which are appended. The results of this thesis are of special interests for railway traffic planners and it would support their working process. However, railway traffic operators and passengers also benefit from this study.
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Fingerle, Garrett Philip. "Engineering an extensible model for a public transport journey planning system." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.342762.
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Lindfeldt, Anders. "Railway capacity analysis : Methods for simulation and evaluation of timetables, delays and infrastructure." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Transportplanering, ekonomi och teknik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-172916.
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In this thesis the symptoms and underlying behaviour of congestion on railways are analysed and discussed. As well as in many other countries, Sweden faces increasing demand for transportation. To meet this new demand, railways play an important role. Today, the capacity of the Swedish rail network is not upgraded at the pace necessary to keep up with the increase in traffic demand. The sensitivity of the railway system rises as the capacity utilisation increases. At some point maximum capacity is reached when the marginal gain of operating one extra train is lower than the costs in terms of longer travel times and increased sensitivity to delays. Several different methodologies are employed in this thesis to analyse capacity. The first uses real data from the Swedish rail network, train operation and delays to analyse how different factors influence available capacity and train delays. Several useful key performance indicators are defined to describe capacity influencing properties of the infrastructure and the rail traffic. The rail network is divided into subsections for which the indicators have been estimated. This makes it possible to discern their different characteristics and identify potential weaknesses. The second approach employs the railway simulation tool RailSys in extensive simulation experiments. This methodology is used to analyse the characteristics of double-track operation. Simulation of several hundred scenarios are conducted to analyse the influence of traffic density, traffic heterogeneity, primary delays and inter-station distance on secondary delays, used timetable allowance and capacity. The analysis gives an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of railway operation on double-track lines. A simulation model for strategic capacity evaluation, TigerSim, is developed that can be used to speed up and improve capacity planning and evaluation of future infrastructure and timetables designs on double-track railway lines. For a given infrastructure and plan of operation, the model can be used to generate and simulate a larger number of timetables. This gives two major advantages: Using many timetables makes results general It is possible to consider both static and dynamic properties of the timetables in the capacity analysis The first aspect is especially useful in the evaluation of future scenarios as the timetable then often is unknown. The second is an advantage since an improvement in capacity can be measured in a combination of increased frequency of service, shorter travel time and reduced delays. The output of the model can either be used to directly determine capacity from a quality of service perspective, or used as input to cost-benefit analysis (CBA).QC 20150902
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Higgins, Andrew. "Optimisation of train schedules to minimise transit time and maximise reliability." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1996. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/107082/1/T%28S%29%20118%20Optimisation%20of%20train%20schedules%20to%20minimise%20transit%20time%20and%20maximise%20reliability.pdf.
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The overall performance of a train schedule is measured in terms of the mean and variance of train lateness (reliability) as well as the travel time of individual trains. The concept is a critical performance measure for both urban and non-urban rail passenger services, as well
as rail freight transportation. This thesis deals with the scheduling of trains on single track corridors, so as to minimise train trip times and maximise reliability of train arrival times. A method to quantify the amount of risk of delay associated with each train, each track
segment, and the schedule as a whole, is put forward and used as the reliability component of the constrained optimisation model. As well as for schedule optimisation, the risk of delay model can be applied to the prioritisation of investment projects designed to improve timetable reliability. Comparisons can be made between track, terminal and rolling stock projects, in terms of their likely impact on timetable reliability.
The thesis also describes a number of solution techniques for the scheduling problem. New lower bounds for the branch and bound technique are presented which allow solutions for reasonable size train scheduling problems to be determined efficiently. Three solution heuristic techniques are applied to the train scheduling problem, namely: a local
search heuristic with an improved neighbourhood structure; genetic algorithms with an efficient string representation; and tabu search. Comparisons in terms of the number of
calculations and solution quality are made between the heuristic and branch and bound techniques. The branch and bound technique with the best lower bound out performed
genetic algorithms and tabu search for all except the largest size problems.
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Tan, Yuyan [Verfasser], and Jörn [Akademischer Betreuer] Pachl. "Techniques for Inserting Additional Train Paths into Existing Cyclic Timetables / Yuyan Tan ; Betreuer: Jörn Pachl." Braunschweig : Technische Universität Braunschweig, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1175819778/34.
Full textBooks on the topic "Timetables"
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SCOTVEC. Examination timetables: Timetables for December diet 1988. [Edinburgh?]: Scottish Vocational Education Council, 1988.
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Lester, Hawksby, Humphries Chris 1966-, and Adlington Frances, eds. Timetables of history. New York: Random House Reference, 2008.
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John, Cule, ed. Timetables of medicine. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal, 2000.
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Jarrett, William S. Timetables of sports history. New York: Facts on File, 1990.
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Jarrett, William S. Timetables of sports history. New York: Facts on File, 1990.
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Laurence, Urdang, ed. The timetables of American history. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996.
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Weir, W. F., 19th cent., ed. Excursion to model farm: South Ontario and West Durham Farmers' Institutes will run an excursion, per G.T.R., to Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, on Thursday, June 25, from following stations .. [S.l: s.n., 1985.
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Institute, West Durham Farmers', ed. Excursion to model farm, Saturday, June 16: This annual excursion to the Ontario Agriculture College and Experimental Farm at Guelph takes place under auspices of the West Durham Farmer's Institute .. [S.l.]: Statesman Pub. House, 1985.
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Kōsha, Nihon Kōtsū, ed. Kisha jikanhyō: Tsuketari, Kisen jidōsha hatchakuhyō. [Tokyo]: JTB, 1999.
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Doe, Barry S. Doe's directory of bus & rail timetables. Bournemouth (25 Newmorton Rd., Moordown, Bournemouth, Dorset BH9 3NU): Barry S. Doe, 1999.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Timetables"
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Lewis, R. M. R. "Designing University Timetables." In A Guide to Graph Colouring, 195–221. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25730-3_8.
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Lewis, R. M. R. "Designing University Timetables." In Texts in Computer Science, 247–75. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81054-2_9.
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D’Angelo, Gianlorenzo, Gabriele Di Stefano, Alfredo Navarra, and Cristina M. Pinotti. "Recoverable Robust Timetables on Trees." In Combinatorial Optimization and Applications, 451–62. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02026-1_43.
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Wezel, M. C., J. N. Kok, J. Berg, and W. Kampen. "Genetic improvement of railway timetables." In Parallel Problem Solving from Nature — PPSN III, 566–75. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1994. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/3-540-58484-6_299.
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Corne, David, and John Ogden. "Evolutionary optimisation of methodist preaching timetables." In Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 142–55. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1998. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bfb0055886.
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Olson, Donald W. "Letters, Almanacs, Timetables, and Foreign Languages." In Investigating Art, History, and Literature with Astronomy, 33–56. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95554-0_2.
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Matos, Gonçalo P., Luís Albino, Ricardo L. Saldanha, and Ernesto M. Morgado. "Optimising Cyclic Timetables with a SAT Approach." In Progress in Artificial Intelligence, 343–54. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65340-2_29.
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Guéret, Christelle, Narendra Jussien, Patrice Boizumault, and Christian Prins. "Building University timetables using constraint logic programming." In Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling, 130–45. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1996. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/3-540-61794-9_56.
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Wang, Xuekai, and Shuai Su. "Optimisation of Train Timetables for Regenerative Braking." In Energy-Efficient Train Operation, 103–39. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34656-9_5.
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Abramson, D., and H. Dang. "School Timetables: A Case Study in Simulated Annealing." In Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, 103–24. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46787-5_6.
Full textConference papers on the topic "Timetables"
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Chen, I.-Chang, Shu-Keng Hsu, Hsiu-Hao Hsu, Chuen-Yih Chen, Dung-Ying Lin, Wei-Hsun Lee, and Yusin Lee. "TrainWorld: A Powerful Tool for Railway Timetabling." In 2013 Joint Rail Conference. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/jrc2013-2478.
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Planning for the operation of a railway system is a very complicated task. At the center stage of this planning work is timetabling. In this work we present TrainWorld, a powerful, sophisticated software system that, among other capabilities, is able to solve for high-quality timetables for real-sized, complicated railways. Testing with Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) data demonstrates the ability of TrainWorld in solving for real-world timetables. The TRA system has 224 stations, approximately three-quarters of the 1085Km railway are double-tracked, and the rest are single-tracked. The system offers close to 1000 daily services in its 18-hour operation hours. Some busy stations carry more than 280 services a day, resulting in an eight-minute average headway between trains. TrainWorld is able to solve a timetable for such a system in approximately 70 hours, and the result is close to the real timetable.
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Ribic, Samir, Razija Turcinhodzic, and Arnela Tumbul. "Modelling double-shift school timetables." In 2017 XXVI International Conference on Information, Communication and Automation Technologies (ICAT). IEEE, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/icat.2017.8171628.
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Goverde, Rob M. P., and Ingo A. Hansen. "Performance indicators for railway timetables." In 2013 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Rail Transportation (ICIRT). IEEE, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/icirt.2013.6696312.
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Mylon, Peter T., Gary C. Wood, and Timothy JC Dolmansley. "Using student-led manufacturing in makerspaces to support transition into engineering higher education." In Fifth International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Valencia: Universitat Politècnica València, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/head19.2019.9502.
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This paper reports our preliminary findings from utilising The iForge, astudent-run makerspace, as a resource for curriculum-based learning, inplace of traditional timetabled workspace access for students. We show howthis enabled us to offer projects that were less structured, less constrained bytimetables, and more open-ended. We also explain how we were able toembed the development of professional skills – particularly teamworking –into the curriculum. Results show no negative impact on student satisfactionor grades, and positive impact in terms of staff time and flexibility forstudents to work independently around their individual timetables. Weconclude by highlighting some areas for further work, and makerecommendations for colleagues wishing to explore more creative practicalprojects in their own contexts.
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Talasila, Prasad, Shaik Asifullah, Neena Goveas, and Bharat Deshpande. "Transit timetables as multi-layer networks." In 2018 10th International Conference on Communication Systems & Networks (COMSNETS). IEEE, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/comsnets.2018.8328285.
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Sipilä, Hans. "Evaluation of Single Track Timetables Using Simulation." In 2014 Joint Rail Conference. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/jrc2014-3820.
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One way to model train operations and make predictions of future outcome is to use simulation. Many lines and networks connecting major cities have a high capacity utilization, meaning that running additional trains leads to an even more strained situation and delays are likely to increase. The mix of average train speeds is also related to capacity and delay propagation. Considering one line or several lines connected in a network a requested train traffic can consist of different train categories and departure frequencies. There are usually several possible timetables satisfying this traffic demand. The infrastructure often implies limitations on the type and volume of traffic that can be handled. Additionally constraints introduced by requests for regular intervals, minimum headways, passenger transfers between trains etc. can reduce the number of acceptable timetables. This paper presents an approach using combinatorial train initiations and simulation to generate conflict-free timetables. These can then be simulated with random variations in departure and dwell times. This is implemented on a fictive single track line with high speed passenger train traffic. The objective is to study outcome by varying allowance times and delays. Simulations are carried out in RailSys, a software using synchronous simulation to model train traffic operations.
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Yan, Zheng, Jason Traish, Ruimin Li, and Jie Lu. "Dynamic scheduling of rail replacement bus timetables." In 14th International FLINS Conference (FLINS 2020). WORLD SCIENTIFIC, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/9789811223334_0061.
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Mekkaoui, Omar, André de Palma, and Robin Lindsey. "Optimal Bus Timetables and Trip Timing Preferences." In Second International Conference on Transportation and Traffic Studies (ICTTS ). Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2000. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/40503(277)56.
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Szolga, Lorant Andras, and Mihai Boca. "LED Display for Timetables Controlled by IoT." In 2021 International Conference on Electrical, Communication, and Computer Engineering (ICECCE). IEEE, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/icecce52056.2021.9514219.
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Qarouni-Fard, Danial, Amir Najafi-Ardabili, M.-Hossein Moeinzadeh, Sarah Sharifian-R, Ehsan Asgarian, and Javad Mohammadzadeh. "Finding Feasible Timetables with Particle Swarm Optimization." In 2007 Innovations in Information Technologies (IIT). IEEE, 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/iit.2007.4430422.
Full textReports on the topic "Timetables"
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Anglin, Branden. Review ofThe Lost Millennium: History's Timetables under Siege. Washington, DC: The MAA Mathematical Sciences Digital Library, August 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.4169/loci003891.
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Mohammadian, Abolfazl, Amir Bahador Parsa, Homa Taghipour, Amir Davatgari, and Motahare Mohammadi. Best Practice Operation of Reversible Express Lanes for the Kennedy Expressway. Illinois Center for Transportation, September 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/21-033.
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Reversible lanes in Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway are an available infrastructure that can significantly improve traffic performance; however, a special focus on congestion management is required to improve their operation. This research project aims to evaluate and improve the operation of reversible lanes in the Kennedy Expressway. The Kennedy Expressway is a nearly 18-mile-long freeway in Chicago, Illinois, that connects in the southeast to northwest direction between the West Loop and O’Hare International Airport. There are two approximately 8-mile reversible lanes in the Kennedy Expressway’s median, where I-94 merges into I-90, and there are three entrance gates in each direction of this corridor. The purpose of the reversible lanes is to help the congested direction of the Kennedy Expressway increase its traffic flow and decrease the delay in the whole corridor. Currently, experts in a control location switch the direction of the reversible lanes two to three times per day by observing real-time traffic conditions captured by a traffic surveillance camera. In general, inbound gates are opened and outbound gates are closed around midnight because morning traffic is usually heavier toward the central city neighborhoods. In contrast, evening peak-hour traffic is usually heavier toward the outbound direction, so the direction of the reversible lanes is switched from inbound to outbound around noon. This study evaluates the Kennedy Expressway’s current reversing operation. Different indices are generated for the corridor to measure the reversible lanes’ performance, and a data-driven approach is selected to find the best time to start the operation. Subsequently, real-time and offline instruction for the operation of the reversible lanes is provided through employing deep learning and statistical techniques. In addition, an offline timetable is also provided through an optimization technique. Eventually, integration of the data-driven and optimization techniques results in the best practice operation of the reversible lanes.
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Gattenhof, Sandra, Ulvund Marit, and Cecilie Haagensen. #YoungArt and Future Skills Report. Queensland University of Technology, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/rep.eprints.244541.
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#Youngart & Future Skills research project had two main foci. One was to develop and investigate models for collaboration between the art and education sectors, and the second to inquire whether the art programs and teacher/artist collaboration promotes the future skills of Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication. Two art programs were carried out in Norwegian secondary schools in 2022 and 2023. Art program A was developed by a theater company in collaboration with a teacher and four artists in a large secondary school class with 45 students in Trondheim. Art program B was developed by a filmmaker in collaboration with a teacher in a small secondary school class with 18 students in Sunnmøre. One of the aims of #Youngart & Future Skills was to investigate how different class and school sizes functioned in different art programs. The art programs were documented through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and the students feedback on post-it notes and drawings, and the material was analysed by the research team. The research finds that of the four future skills Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking, the first three were strengthened through the art program, and Critical thinking to some extent. The collaboration between classroom teachers and teaching artist was appreciated by both parties. At the same time, there seems to be potential in a closer collaboration and a clarification of roles in relation to the implementation of the art program. It is important that both parties can use their expertise in the implementation, and that the school’s needs and the teaching artists goals and proficiency meet in a good way. There is a need for more research to explore and make choices in relation to the diversity of possibilities in scope, length, timetable, and forms of collaboration between teachers and artists.
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Galili, Naftali, Roger P. Rohrbach, Itzhak Shmulevich, Yoram Fuchs, and Giora Zauberman. Non-Destructive Quality Sensing of High-Value Agricultural Commodities Through Response Analysis. United States Department of Agriculture, October 1994. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/1994.7570549.bard.
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The objectives of this project were to develop nondestructive methods for detection of internal properties and firmness of fruits and vegetables. One method was based on a soft piezoelectric film transducer developed in the Technion, for analysis of fruit response to low-energy excitation. The second method was a dot-matrix piezoelectric transducer of North Carolina State University, developed for contact-pressure analysis of fruit during impact. Two research teams, one in Israel and the other in North Carolina, coordinated their research effort according to the specific objectives of the project, to develop and apply the two complementary methods for quality control of agricultural commodities. In Israel: An improved firmness testing system was developed and tested with tropical fruits. The new system included an instrumented fruit-bed of three flexible piezoelectric sensors and miniature electromagnetic hammers, which served as fruit support and low-energy excitation device, respectively. Resonant frequencies were detected for determination of firmness index. Two new acoustic parameters were developed for evaluation of fruit firmness and maturity: a dumping-ratio and a centeroid of the frequency response. Experiments were performed with avocado and mango fruits. The internal damping ratio, which may indicate fruit ripeness, increased monotonically with time, while resonant frequencies and firmness indices decreased with time. Fruit samples were tested daily by destructive penetration test. A fairy high correlation was found in tropical fruits between the penetration force and the new acoustic parameters; a lower correlation was found between this parameter and the conventional firmness index. Improved table-top firmness testing units, Firmalon, with data-logging system and on-line data analysis capacity have been built. The new device was used for the full-scale experiments in the next two years, ahead of the original program and BARD timetable. Close cooperation was initiated with local industry for development of both off-line and on-line sorting and quality control of more agricultural commodities. Firmalon units were produced and operated in major packaging houses in Israel, Belgium and Washington State, on mango and avocado, apples, pears, tomatoes, melons and some other fruits, to gain field experience with the new method. The accumulated experimental data from all these activities is still analyzed, to improve firmness sorting criteria and shelf-life predicting curves for the different fruits. The test program in commercial CA storage facilities in Washington State included seven apple varieties: Fuji, Braeburn, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and D'Anjou pear variety. FI master-curves could be developed for the Braeburn, Gala, Granny Smith and Jonagold apples. These fruits showed a steady ripening process during the test period. Yet, more work should be conducted to reduce scattering of the data and to determine the confidence limits of the method. Nearly constant FI in Red Delicious and the fluctuations of FI in the Fuji apples should be re-examined. Three sets of experiment were performed with Flandria tomatoes. Despite the complex structure of the tomatoes, the acoustic method could be used for firmness evaluation and to follow the ripening evolution with time. Close agreement was achieved between the auction expert evaluation and that of the nondestructive acoustic test, where firmness index of 4.0 and more indicated grade-A tomatoes. More work is performed to refine the sorting algorithm and to develop a general ripening scale for automatic grading of tomatoes for the fresh fruit market. Galia melons were tested in Israel, in simulated export conditions. It was concluded that the Firmalon is capable of detecting the ripening of melons nondestructively, and sorted out the defective fruits from the export shipment. The cooperation with local industry resulted in development of automatic on-line prototype of the acoustic sensor, that may be incorporated with the export quality control system for melons. More interesting is the development of the remote firmness sensing method for sealed CA cool-rooms, where most of the full-year fruit yield in stored for off-season consumption. Hundreds of ripening monitor systems have been installed in major fruit storage facilities, and being evaluated now by the consumers. If successful, the new method may cause a major change in long-term fruit storage technology. More uses of the acoustic test method have been considered, for monitoring fruit maturity and harvest time, testing fruit samples or each individual fruit when entering the storage facilities, packaging house and auction, and in the supermarket. This approach may result in a full line of equipment for nondestructive quality control of fruits and vegetables, from the orchard or the greenhouse, through the entire sorting, grading and storage process, up to the consumer table. The developed technology offers a tool to determine the maturity of the fruits nondestructively by monitoring their acoustic response to mechanical impulse on the tree. A special device was built and preliminary tested in mango fruit. More development is needed to develop a portable, hand operated sensing method for this purpose. In North Carolina: Analysis method based on an Auto-Regressive (AR) model was developed for detecting the first resonance of fruit from their response to mechanical impulse. The algorithm included a routine that detects the first resonant frequency from as many sensors as possible. Experiments on Red Delicious apples were performed and their firmness was determined. The AR method allowed the detection of the first resonance. The method could be fast enough to be utilized in a real time sorting machine. Yet, further study is needed to look for improvement of the search algorithm of the methods. An impact contact-pressure measurement system and Neural Network (NN) identification method were developed to investigate the relationships between surface pressure distributions on selected fruits and their respective internal textural qualities. A piezoelectric dot-matrix pressure transducer was developed for the purpose of acquiring time-sampled pressure profiles during impact. The acquired data was transferred into a personal computer and accurate visualization of animated data were presented. Preliminary test with 10 apples has been performed. Measurement were made by the contact-pressure transducer in two different positions. Complementary measurements were made on the same apples by using the Firmalon and Magness Taylor (MT) testers. Three-layer neural network was designed. 2/3 of the contact-pressure data were used as training input data and corresponding MT data as training target data. The remaining data were used as NN checking data. Six samples randomly chosen from the ten measured samples and their corresponding Firmalon values were used as the NN training and target data, respectively. The remaining four samples' data were input to the NN. The NN results consistent with the Firmness Tester values. So, if more training data would be obtained, the output should be more accurate. In addition, the Firmness Tester values do not consistent with MT firmness tester values. The NN method developed in this study appears to be a useful tool to emulate the MT Firmness test results without destroying the apple samples. To get more accurate estimation of MT firmness a much larger training data set is required. When the larger sensitive area of the pressure sensor being developed in this project becomes available, the entire contact 'shape' will provide additional information and the neural network results would be more accurate. It has been shown that the impact information can be utilized in the determination of internal quality factors of fruit. Until now,