Fuzzy modelling of the transportation logistics processes

The relevance of mechanisms and fuzzy modeling methods used in transport and logistics processes is justified. The logic of the transport and logistics chains study by their decomposition into separate economic entities with subsequent synthesis, with taking into account their conflicting interests, is presented. The task of managing transport and logistics processes is set within the framework of the conceptual positions of the fuzzy sets theory: the use of linguistic variables, the concept of a fuzzy set, fuzzy inference, implemented on the basis of fuzzy sets operations. In this study, the fuzzy modeling on the bottom-up conclusions from the premises to the conclusion was used. Various methods of implication and defuzzification have been analyzed. An iterative procedure for managing transport and logistics chains and their links has been proposed, which ensures the adaptation of the process to the specified performance indicators. A calculated example is given for a marshalling yard as a link in the transport and logistics chain.

DETERMINATION OF THE CONDITIONS FOR APPLYING THE TECHNOLOGY OF TARGET GRAVITY BRAKING OF UNCOUPLED CARS

Improving the efficiency of the process of train uncoupling remains one of the mosturgent problems in railway transport. The priority areas for solving this problem today include thedevelopment and implementation of integrated automation systems for hump technologies, the use ofartificial intelligence in decision support systems and procedures for calculating the controlparameters of car retarders. These systems provide high accuracy in designing and implementingcontrol actions, taking into account indeterminacy and multiple random parameters.However, a number of factors that are quite difficult to take into account, predict, or formalize.Such factors include the technical condition of rail car retarders, their random brakingcharacteristics, constant changes in wind speed and direction, the condition of wheel pairs, theresponse rate of hump operators, and others. These factors can have significant impact on the qualityof the marshalling process, even on automated marshalling humps.To increase the efficiency of the train uncoupling technology, researchers have developed anumber of scientific approaches and technical solutions: approaches to control using the equipmentfor controlling the speed of rolling uncoupled cars in automated mode have been formed, new designsof car retarders have been developed and the existing ones were improved, optimizing methods forbraking modes of uncoupled cars, the longitudinal profile of marshalling humps and the design ofhump necks have been proposed. The introduction of target gravity braking technology for uncouples cars is one of the ways toimprove the efficiency of the marshalling process. This technology can be implemented provided thata special profile design of the marshalling device is used.To determine the conditions for applying the target gravity braking technology for uncoupledcars, simulation modeling of rolling of model cars in favorable and unfavorable meteorologicalconditions was carried out.The results of simulation modeling showed that the proposed technology can be definitely used,if the number of tracks in the marshalling yard is up to 32 and estimated wind speeds up to 6 m/s,when it provides an uncoupling rate of up to 1,8 m/s. If the marshalling yard has a larger number oftracks and/or in case of powerful winds, the technology can be applied if the uncoupling rate isreduced. In this case, the feasibility of using the technology should be verified with technical andeconomic calculations.

Improvement of the planning method of the sortation system

Objective: Determination of the minimum time spent by a transit car with processing at the marshalling yard, identification of the optimal car flow in order to optimize the loading of the station’s technical devices. Methods: The description of interoperational downtime is carried out by the theory of queuing, simulation modeling is used to recreate technological processes at the marshalling yard. Results: As a result of the analysis of the average time spent by the car at the station, a model of the marshalling yard was built, taking into account the monthly irregularity of the flow of the processed flow. Practical importance: With the help of the obtained data, it is possible to improve the long-term planning of the work of the sortation system, to determine the optimal load of the station’s technical means. By changing the station’s constant parameters (the number of tracks) and variables (the number of maintenance crews, the number of shunting locomotives), it is possible to respond flexibly to the required development of the car traffic made by the station.

Concept of Digital Platform at Marshalling Yards

Implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept is considered in the context of automation of railway transport. The analysis refers to prerequisites for creation of a universal digital platform integrating automation systems at a marshalling yard.The example of JSC Russian Railways has contributed to describe the main goals of Digital Station concept, aimed at fusion of data from low-level local automation equipment. The presented functionality of the system for control and processing information on movements of wagons and locomotives at the station in real time (SCPI MWL RT) implements the set goals by integrating initial data from all automation and centralised traffic control systems operating at the station, checking it for consistency, eliminating information redundancy and generating in real time the current model of a marshalling yard regarding trains and wagons and based on data «from the wheel».Description of the existing functionality of SCPI MWL RT, implemented at a facility, is followed by the analysis of the advantages of this system for the railway cargo transportation network. The objective of the paper is to present some previously unpublished technical solutions for implementation of the specified functionality. The methods of the research are based on fusion of heterogeneous data received from floor devices, specialised video cameras, as well as from real-time wagon positioning models.It is shown that adoption of new technical solutions for SCPI MWL RT will allow to considerably improve the quality of planning of technological process of classifying railway wagons and of forecasting the need for infrastructure maintenance. Deep learning algorithms presented ensure functioning of the developed solutions in real time with high accuracy. Further steps described refer to implementation of a digital platform in the form of a digital twin of a marshalling yard, creating thus a prerequisite for development of an intelligent automatic machine to control the marshalling yard, as well as for further planned ways to implementation there-of.

Simulation of the world’s largest railway marshalling yard using queuing theory

The problem of scenario forecasting of the operation of railway stations in the conditions of changing traffic flow is considered. An approach to modeling based on the use of the queuing theory apparatus is proposed, which allows taking into account the presence of significant random impacts on the system operation. The largest railway marshalling yard in the world - Bailey Yard (Nebraska, USA) was chosen as the object. The article presents a mathematical model of its operation in the form of a queuing network, in which, unlike queuing systems, branching and circular movement of applications are allowed. This allows you to display various routes of the movement of cars in the structure of the station. To describe several incoming transport flows, a BMAP stream (Branch Markovian Arrival Process) is used, so it is possible to take into account the parameters of each of them. Analytical results for such mathematical objects are not known, so the model is studied numerically. The amount of traffic flow varies in a series of experiments. Based on the results obtained, the current and maximum capacity of the station, «bottlenecks» in its structure are determined and recommendations are developed to improve the efficiency of its operation.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TANK CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTATION OF VEGETABLE OILS UNDER IMPACT TEST

The paper presents the assessment of the fat – and-oil industry of Ukraine. Leaders of the largest producers of sunflower oil in Ukraine were determined in percentage terms; they are LLC "European Transport Stevedoring Company" (6.6% of total production), LLC Optimus Agro Trade (6.1%), LLC Pridneprovsky SEZ, Ltd (4.7%) and PJSC "Vinnitsa OZHK" (4.7%). The development of oil and fat enterprises of Ukraine was analyzed and the main problems were identified, which include the choice of transportation means of vegetable oils from factories to the seaport and the territorial location of factories producing vegetable oils. It is established that at present the currently relevant type of transportation of bulk cargo has become tank containers, as transportation in them is carried out without intermediate overflow of the product when changing the mode of transport, which ensures the increased safety of transportation and cargo, as well as contributing to the environmental security during the transportation process. The article includes the classification of tank containers and identification of the main world manufacturers of chemical and food tank containers. It is determined that the construction of the tank container should withstand the action of its own forces of inertia, which occur during the movement of the vehicle, as well as under impact of wagons that occur during shunting operations, including gravity marshalling yard, emergency braking and other emergencies that may occur during operation under the following accelerations: in the longitudinal direction Pпр it is 2 g; in transverse direction Pп it is 1 g; in the vertical direction Pв it is 2 g; under impact: for a loaded container with dangerous goods the acceleration is 4 g; for a loaded container with a safe cargo it is 2 g; for an empty container (to check the fittings) it is 5 g. The paper describes the procedure for obtaining dynamic characteristics of a tank-container for transporting vegetable oils placed on a platform car under impact tests. The presented example of obtaining the values of accelerations that act on the load-bearing structure of the tank-container under impact shows that the designed construction of the tank-container meets the regulatory requirements for strength characteristics.

Economic comparison of options for piggyback terminal arrangement at a marshalling yard

Objective: To carry out an economic comparison of alternative options for a piggyback terminal layout solution in a marshalling yard. Methods: Modern logistics, customer focus approach, synchromodality, system analysis, comparison of options, forecasting, project and situational management methods were used. Results: Scenario forecasting allowed us to assess the possible dynamic patterns of traffic volumes for three options. The position of the yard in the hub is characterized. The technical and technology design of a piggyback terminal are briefly discussed. The terminal location options based on the yard infrastructure are indicated. Schematic solutions with different terminal-yard junctions through turnout track N 22 (option 1) and N 16 of the Transfer Park (option 2) are proposed. We have analyzed benefits and drawbacks, calculated the cost of the marshalling yard development for each developed option at 2014 values. In particular, the itemized capital investments and operating costs of the marshalling yard stepwise development are calculated and presented in a tabular form. Practical importance: The comparative analysis results for a set of technical and economic indicators are presented. Using the method of comparing options for different indicators, option 1 was selected as the most rational in terms of the minimum cumulative costs

Measures to reduce the downtime of a transit wagon with processing

The program for the development of marshalling yards until 2025 assumes the concentration of car traffic processing at large, technically well-equipped marshalling yards. Measures to reduce the downtime of transit cars with processing at the marshalling yard A, aimed at identifying and reducing costs when driving freight trains of increased weight and length on the section A–I1, are relevant from a practical point of view.One way to reduce the cost of driving freight trains of increased weight and length is to avoid forming 9,000-ton trains. Station A forms trains of increased mass and length, measuring 8000 tons and 9000 tons. This technology has a certain positive effect — an increase in the average weight of the train by 25.5 tons, reducing the need for locomotives and locomotive crews, increasing the carrying capacity of the section, unloading the tracks of the receiving and sending fleet. Also, this technology entails a certain number of difficulties in operation, such as certain requirements for the equipment of locomotives and the use of only three-section locomotives for trains weighing 9,000 tons. This raises the question of the feasibility of driving trains weighing 9,000 tons.

Implementation of Intelligent Monitoring for the Marshalling Yard

The railway marshalling station occupies a central place in the technological chain of freight transportation processes, since the speed of processing trains at marshalling yards determines the volume and cost of transportation. Therefore, development of automation and computerization of sorting processes results in growing efficiency of freight transportation in general. The objective of the study is to formalize the problem of cars’ monitoring within the railway marshalling yard and to develop a method for solving it with the use of algorithms of recognizing and positioning of dynamic objects through the intelligent data analysis of streaming video. The article presents a new approach to solution of the problem of monitoring moving units in the hump (sorting) yard of marshalling stations. The article suggests core criteria for identifying speed and positioning of the railway wagons when they are running after been separated at the hump. The article specifies that monitoring of moving units at hump yard is less automated in comparison with the monitoring at the hump itself, and that confirms the relevance of the research. To get the problem of the automation monitoring of moving units in the hump yard solved, the authors have suggested an algorithm that is based on the image data intelligent analysis, that is on computer vision, and have described the model of its implementation at a station. The methods used are based on the theory of computer vision and are aimed at recognizing key dynamic objects in streaming video and at their subsequent positioning. The study has resulted in substantiation of acceptability of the use of computer vision in the process of separation and formation of trains. It is planned to proceed with further improvement of the presented approach to develop a software product allowing to objectify information about hump yard in order to increase the efficiency of targeted braking at the hump.