Abebe, Teklu (Mr.)Nurye, Hassen2022-05-252023-11-042022-05-252023-11-042018-03http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/31794One of the significant challenges in the daily operation of train dispatching is making the right decision upon unplanned conflict occurrence. The resolution process by itself will introduce an additional delay on the railway network unless well resolved. Thus, it is a decisive and challenging issue for train dispatchers and railway operation planners to decide which of the trains to stop or to pass from the trains involved in the conflict to bring minimum propagated delay. Such an operation with effective conflict resolution requires an intelligent decision support system that considers minimization of future dwelling time. To this end, this thesis developed a decision support system that provides an intelligent decision to the train dispatcher by detecting a conflict on a rail network with an optimal resolution of the conflict and cost. The approach addressed the minimization of overall delay due to the conflict resolution in addition to detection and resolution. A mixed integer linear programming approach has been implemented to find optimal combinations of arrival and departure events that bring minimum propagated delay. Optimization toolbox of the commercial software, MATLAB R2015a, was used to develop the solving algorithm and obtain the result. The solution procedure is also clearly illustrated using practical and hypothetical applications. The model has been applied to Ethio-Djibouti Railway enterprise railroad from DIRE-DAOUA to DAOUENLE, which consists of eight stations. The program was able to reach an optimal solution with minimum cost when compared to the manual (heuristic) approach especially for an increased number of trains and stations. The model was also tested based on various hypothetical assumptions and showed that it is a powerful tool to be used for train dispatchers for ensuring operational optimality and safety of the railway line.en-USConflict Detection and ResolutionDecision Support SystemMixed integer linear programmingRe-schedulingTrain DispatchingThesis