Rail Ops Simulator

Lines

Operations

Default dwellsec Dwell variability ±% Turnback / relay timesec Random seed

Turnback time covers the crew changing ends. It applies to reversing in a platform and in a pocket or tail track.

Passengers & dwell

Passenger-driven dwell Demand%

Doors per side (train) Seats (train) Guideline loadpax Maximum loadpax Door cycle (fixed)sec Per boarder, per doorsec Per alighter, per doorsec Crowding friction×10⁻⁴ Busiest-door factor×

Dwell = door cycle + alighting + boarding time per door, plus a friction term that grows with the cube of standees staying on board (Puong 2000, MBTA Red Line): 12.2 + 1.82·A + 2.27·B + 6.2×10⁻⁴·S³·B, where A, B and S are alighters, boarders and through standees per door. The busiest-door factor scales A and B for uneven door use. Riders wait for a train that stops at their destination, and don’t board past the maximum load.

Rolling stock

Train lengthft Max speedmph Accelerationmph/s Service brakingmph/s

Defaults approximate a 600 ft train of NYC R160-class cars. Acceleration is constant in this version.

Signals & speeds

Signal system

Signal spacingft Control lengthblocks Sighting distanceft

A signal shows red while its block or the blocks in its control length are occupied (2 blocks keeps trains at least one signal apart). Operators see a signal's aspect only within sighting distance; after a yellow they must be ready to stop at the next signal. NYCT blocks are typically about 1,000 ft. To combine or split blocks, use the Signal tool or Shift-click blocks.

Safety marginft Reaction timesec Guaranteed emergency brakemph/s

Each train's movement authority ends a safety margin behind the train ahead (the margin covers position uncertainty). The train keeps a speed from which it could still stop there: running on for the reaction time, then braking at the guaranteed emergency rate. Block boundaries only change speed limits.

Main track speedmph Crossover speedmph

Before a switch a train must reserve it, and before entering a track it reserves that direction of traffic. A train reversing on a track takes the whole track.

Incidents

Line Train number0 = next At station First stop aftermin Hold formin

To run single track, select blocks with Shift-click and mark them out of service. Lines then reroute over crossovers.

Simulation & drawing

Durationmin Start time Grid squareft Snap points to grid

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Start with track