Feasibility of rational constructive and technological parameters of organization options of multigroup shunting on the basis of simulation modeling

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of optimizing the design and technology of the shunting complex, specialized for a multigroup selection of cars. The study offers a comprehensive approach based on the formation and subsequent technical and economic evaluation of options for combinations of design, technical equipment and technology work, the so-called constructive-technological variants. The resulted annual expenses, and also a necessary level of handling ability are accepted as the basic criteria of a choice of a constructive-technological variant.To determine the rational constructive-technological variant of organizing multigroup shunting, it is suggested to use simulation modeling. The model is presented in the form of a queuing system. The service refers to a selection of cars in groups, and the requirements refers to handled trains. The simulation model is developed on the basis of block-modular architecture. The structure of the train (the number of groups, the length of the cuts and its mass) and the intervals between incoming requirements are given randomly in the form of distribution laws. The result of the work of the model is the determination of indicators of constructive and technological variants for organizing multigroup shunting, such as a hump technological interval, idle in service waiting and queue length, available processing ability. The article describes the methodology for calculating the reported costs, which includes the annual capital investments, as well as operating annual costs. In terms of operating costs, the costs associated with the current maintenance of permanent devices, as well as locomotive-hours, car-hours (for operator companies) and the cost of occupying one kilometer of station tracks are taken into account. The developed model is used for technical and economic comparison based on the minimum of the reduced costs of 16 construction and technological variants for organizing a multi-group selection of cars that differ in the shunting method (degree, combinatorial, stepped maximum and duplicating) and the number of grouping tracks (from 2 to 5) . The comparison takes into account the change in the design parameters of the grouping yard, associated with a different number and the required capacity of the tracks.The results of calculations, based on the model, showed that the choice of the design and technological variant depends significantly on the intensity of the receipt of requirements, as well as the structure of the car flow. At a lower intensity, greater efficiency (reduction of the given costs) demonstrates degree-based method, and with greater intensity - combinatorial.