Using Time Signal at Red (TSAR) as a tool for analysing rail network performance

Abstract

Reactionary delays can adversely impact train service performance. This is particularly true for parts of the rail network at or near capacity. To detect the causes of such delays, a metric with a granularity smaller than those of typical rail delay metrics is required. We present an approach based on the Time Signal at Red (TSAR) metric. The purpose of TSAR is to measure the duration a berth is continuously occupied by a train or reserved, which is closely related to information regarding the red aspect of the berth signal at an entrance to the berth. Thus, TSAR provides a low-level metric to measure individual service and berth performance, and to observe system effects that reflect reactionary delay. The paper defines TSAR and describes a data processing methodology to extract TSAR and signal aspect on berth entry from disparate data sources. The use of TSAR is demonstrated for a case study area – comparing different service patterns, identifying patterns of reactionary delay, and showing the impact of adhesion at different times of year. The implications of TSAR are discussed, including its utility for applications such as analysis of simulated network performance.