How the timetable is born.From initial studies to the daily timetable.

April 2014

The Swiss are world champions in rail travel: About 10,000 trains use the country’s 3,175 or so kilometres of track each day, taking over a million passengers to their destinations safely and on time. In addition, about 200,000 tonnes of freight are trans ported by SBB on its network each day. These impressive figures are unequalled anywhere in the world. Coping with these volumes on a daily basis is a major challenge. The demands placed on SBB’s timetable planners – among many others – are consequently very high. The continuous expansion of passen-ger rail services and the constantly growing demand for freight capacity mean that train paths are in increasingly short supply. To meet this rising demand, SBB Infrastructure relies on a highly sophisticated timetabling system. With their know-how and experience, it is the timetabling and product planning staff who enable this complex interplay to function.

We would like to explain here what it takes to produce a timetable with sufficient stability to enable trains to run on time. Overleaf you will find an overview of time-tabling activities at SBB Infrastructure. For further information on this topic, please see the enclosed folder.

We at SBB Infrastructure set the signals to green: we plan, build, operate and maintain Switzerland’s rail network.

SBB – We keep Switzerland moving.Travel in comfort. Get there on time.

Philippe GauderonHead of SBB InfrastructureMember of the Management Board

The art of creating a timetable – the foundation of the world’s densest rail network.

Timetabling terms and tools.

What is a train path?A train path, rather like a slot in aviation, is the entitlement for a train (of de�ned length, weight, loading gauge and speed) to use a speci�c section of the rail network at �xed times.

Symmetrical timetable.In Switzerland, symmetry is on the hour (00 minutes). The “symmetry points” at which trains pass each other are always at the same place. Transfer times and changes to other services are always the same in both directions. It is thus easy for passengers to work out their train’s departure time for the return journey. An integrated, regular inter -

boats and privately operated railways – have the same symmetrical times. This facili -tates connections in a number of di�erent directions.

Customers.Railway undertakings (RU). 40 RUs operate freight or passenger trains on the SBB network. They receive close support from ten customer advisors – the �rst port of call for the RUs at SBB Infrastruc -ture. Cantons.It is the cantons that commission regional rail or suburban/urban rapid transit services.

Key Account Managers (KAM) at SBB Infrastructure.

Timetable design, and the tools used.The annual timetable is planned in accordance with the regulatory framework sti p-ulated by the Federal O�ce of Transport (FOT). The timetable planners observe the following hierarchy: �rst, they timetable the long-distance and transit freight trains.

delivery network for wagonload freight services. And �nally the regional services, i. The various electronic tools used in the process include route diagrams, track oc -cupancy diagrams, network graphics and the NeTS planning tool (stands for Netz -weites Trassen System – or “network-wide train path system”).

Timetable analysis tools.Before being taken into service, a timetable is thoroughly checked for stability risks.

are used to identify and deal with any weaknesses in advance. After the introduction

check its stability. Only in this way is it possible to add to or improve the dense time -table.

Train-path ordering process.The railway undertakings want to have equal access to the Swiss rail network. Trasse Schweiz AG (Swiss Train Paths Ltd) ensures that the planning, allocation and optimisation of this track access (i.e. train paths) is performed impartially.

Official timetable, online timetable and app.The completed annual timetable supplies the data for approximately 60 different pro d-ucts or systems. The traditional printed timetable is one of these, while others include the new electronic media such as the online timetable and the mobile timetable ap-plication (app) available for smartphones. Within SBB, the data are fed into numerous production systems.

Special trains.About 500 special trains are scheduled each year for major events (such as the national Swiss wrestling tournament, the football cup final or Circus Knie performances) as well as for large shipments of sugarbeet or works trains.

The people.About 120 timetable planners in Lausanne, Berne, Zurich and Lucerne are responsible for drawing up timetables covering various planning horizons. Their challenge is the daily balancing act between capacity and stability. The most heavily used section of route, between Rupperswil and Lenzburg, carries 550 trains per day.

The planning process involves:• 3,175 route kilometres (SBB/Sensetalbahn/Thurbo/ZB)• 2,383 operating points• 40 railway undertakings (RU) requesting train paths• 583 power units• 15,000 train-path orders• 170 m train-path km sold• 8,153 passenger trains and 1,854 freight trains per day• 11,000 scheduled track closures, and

1,300 speed restrictions per year across the SBB network.

The timetable.Here are some facts and figures about the timetable.

Swiss Federal Railways SBB Communications InfrastructureBrückfeldstrasse 16 CH-3000 Berne 65

www.sbb.ch

.00 S3 Biel.00 Biel.00 S3 Biel

BSBSNO

MUMUOS

PRWPRUW

PRFRE

LSTNLST

LSNIT

SISGKD

TKHBTN

HBTSOLTU

OLNOL

16:10

16:20

16:30

16:40

16:50

17:00

17:10

17:20

17:30

17:40

17:50

18:00

16:00

S51033 17

36769L 135

41665 269*

41665 269*

17269 17 65237 15*

65237 15*

62174 15

17365 17*

17069 15

2472 17

9215 1736570L 23*

S52122 169

578 17

17260 17

17367 17*

17367 17*

207 17

43680 259*

17366 17*

17366 17*

979 17

17360 17*

28572 15

2182 17

1980 17

41083 269*

36767L 15

48600 349*

43621 149*

17075 15

1081 1717158 17

1785 17

S52072 17

79921 17

87848 169*

670 17

48641 339*

S51235 17*

687 17

40221 259*

17265 17

2078 17

50274 15

87844 169*

376 17

17356 17*

S51176 17S51185 17*

580 17*

S52133 17

46676 339*

1981 17*

5338 159*

17359 17*

17167 17

87845 169*

S52183 17

1078 17

17357 17*

17256 17

1787 17

780 17

272 159*

17061 15

87843 17

870 17

1778 17

S51030 17*

S51030 17*

981 17

60260 25

585 17

5336 159*

40101 259*

982 17

43662 259*

43662 259*

S52033 169*

17358 17

2475 17

57440U 15

87847 17

S52124 279

2080 17

9226 759*

43711 269*

5341 159*

1080 17

S51037 17

17161 17

S51276 17

99420L 17

17364 17

S52070 17

57441L 15

S51174 17*

S51085 17*

S52022 17*

49156 259*

66825F 349

87849 169*

43670 259*

502 759*

59 17

581 17

87850 17

S51028 17

1783 17*

75 17

2473 17

9230 17

9230 17

17065 15

41515 15*

2474 17

1978 17

1985 17*

17066 15

40329 269*

17164 17

2085 17

S51178 17*

S51178 17*

36771L 15*

2181 17

S52174 17

17361 17*

S51026 17*

43617 759*

5343 159*

101 17

277 17

277 17

S51133 17

S52235 718* 1780 17

S52024 17*

57570 15

1782 17

66432 33

2087 17

S51187 17

S51187 17

87846 17

S51033 17

36769L 135

41665 269*

41665 269*

17269 17 65237 15*

65237 15*

62174 15

17365 17*

17069 15

2472 17

9215 1736570L 23*

S52122 169

578 17

17260 17

17367 17*

17367 17*

207 17

43680 259*

17366 17*

17366 17*

979 17

17360 17*

28572 15

2182 17

1980 17

41083 269*

36767L 15

48600 349*

43621 149*

17075 15

1081 1717158 17

1785 17

S52072 17

79921 17

87848 169*

670 17

48641 339*

S51235 17*

687 17

40221 259*

17265 17

2078 17

50274 15

87844 169*

376 17

17356 17*

S51176 17S51185 17*

580 17*

S52133 17

46676 339*

1981 17*

5338 159*

17359 17*

17167 17

87845 169*

S52183 17

1078 17

17357 17*

17256 17

1787 17

780 17

272 159*

17061 15

87843 17

870 17

1778 17

S51030 17*

S51030 17*

981 17

60260 25

585 17

5336 159*

40101 259*

982 17

43662 259*

43662 259*

S52033 169*

17358 17

2475 17

57440U 15

87847 17

S52124 279

2080 17

9226 759*

43711 269*

5341 159*

1080 17

S51037 17

17161 17

S51276 17

99420L 17

17364 17

S52070 17

57441L 15

S51174 17*

S51085 17*

S52022 17*

49156 259*

66825F 349

87849 169*

43670 259*

502 759*

59 17

581 17

87850 17

S51028 17

1783 17*

75 17

2473 17

9230 17

9230 17

17065 15

41515 15*

2474 17

1978 17

1985 17*

17066 15

40329 269*

17164 17

2085 17

S51178 17*

S51178 17*

36771L 15*

2181 17

S52174 17

17361 17*

S51026 17*

43617 759*

5343 159*

101 17

277 17

277 17

S51133 17

S52235 718* 1780 17

S52024 17*

57570 15

1782 17

66432 33

2087 17

S51187 17

S51187 17

87846 17

52’ Travel time in minutes (as at 2012)

St. Gallen

Winterthur

Schaffhausen

Olten

BellinzonaVisp

Luzern

Genève

ChurBern

Lausanne

Biel/Bienne

Basel SBB

Zürich HB

55’

70’

60’

53’

19’39’

33’

58’

87’66’

64’

57’

45’

65’

74’

134’125’

92’

56’

Infrastructure

Financing Stations, Real Estate

Rolling stock

Services

Timetable

GenèveGenèveGenève

OOL

S51185 17*

S51185 17*

S51185 17*

17357 17*17357 17*17357 17*

S51133 17

S51133 17

S51133 17

S51185 17*

S51185 17*

S51185 17*

How your timetable is born.

Demand forecasts determine the services offered. The offering and the timetable determine the functional requirements in terms of infrastructure and rolling stock. The necessary finance is then sought, as availability of funds ultimately determines the timing of implementation.

Berne station: every hour, long-distance trains arrive in Berne at 47 minutes past the hour and leave again on the hour (minute .00).

Timetable planning in five dimensions

Travel times between the defined hubs (or nodes) is under one hour. Trains from all directions converge on the nodes before the full hour and depart from them just after the full hour. This results in short transfer times and good connections for passengers.

The hub concept

1. Undertake timetable study With the demand for travel rising, rail infrastructure has to be constantly expanded. SBB Infrastructure receives mandates from the federal and cantonal governments to undertake a timetable study and deliver a cost-benefit forecast. To this end, the timetable planners draw up a plan featuring different planning timescales. Timetable and operational simulations are used to define the requisite infrastructure upgrades.

2. Develop future rail service offering A number of detailed discussions are held between the federal transport ministry (FOT), the cantons and the rail companies (RUs) on the one and SBB Infrastructure on the other hand to define the target timetable, the corresponding infrastructure expansions/up-grades, the rolling stock requirements and the sources from which the necessary funding will be obtained. The ultimate goal is always a solution with the best cost-benefit ratio. A dispatch (message) containing the necessary financing plans is then transmitted to the Federal Parliament. This iteration step creates a picture of the future timetable and the associated financing requirements.

3. Draw up medium-term timetable Once the financing issue has been resolved and the necessary upgrades are under way, planning and computer simulation work for the medium-term timetable and the associated infrastructure requirements commences. Time windows for the necessary maintenance and renewal work are worked into the timetable. The timetable studies are put into a more concrete form and detailed concepts drawn up.

4. Perform supply iterationsThe RUs operating in the passenger and freight sectors meet with SBB Infrastructure and the FOT to agree on the specifics: rolling stock deployment is defined, schedules drawn up for commissioning new installations, construction sites for maintenance and renewal work coordinated, and the timetable fixed.

5. Prepare the annual timetable Two years before implementation, the timetable planners start planning the annual timetable accurately and over a 24-hour timescale. The defined supply concepts are taken over into the annual timetable. A “train path catalogue” is issued for freight services. Now the actual ordering of train paths by RUs can begin.

6. Hold customer workshopSBB Infrastructure’s customers – passenger and freight RUs – meet up at a timetable workshop. Offering concepts are coordinated and put into a concrete form. At this point, requests for short-term changes are checked for feasibility and integrated into the ongoing planning process.

7. Launch ordering processTo ensure non-discriminatory access to the rail network for all RUs, the latter submit their train-path requests to the independent body Swiss Train Paths Ltd. As far as feasible, train paths are allocated provisionally. The RU now has the opportunity to evaluate which paths it definitely wants to order. To this end, it confers with its customers. In the freight segment, these may include container shippers. In regional services, it is the cantons that order timetable availability. If two RUs request the same path, Swiss Train Paths Ltd is respon-sible for allocating it. If no agreement can be reached, a bidding process is launched.

8. Conclude annual timetable and implement timetable change Detailed planning of the timetable has been completed, so it can be passed on to the SBB’s operational units. The service offering is published in the online timetable and the official (printed) timetable.

9. Generate daily timetable The last remaining gaps in the current timetable are filled with special trains for events (such as the national Swiss wrestling tournament, transport of sugar beet or a tour by Circus Knie), with works trains (e.g. for engineering works or measuring runs) or with international special trains. The timetable’s stability is monitored continuously. Opportunities for improvements are identified and implemented in the next timetable.

This extract from the timetable diagram for the Basel SBB–Olten section shows the high density of services on the SBB network. Each line on the time-and-path line diagram represents a train.

Timetable diagram

Timetable preparation at SBB Infrastructure

Annual timetable8 years 2 years 2-1 years

Horizon

20 years before implementation

Plan

ning

acc

urac

y

ConceptPhase Detailed concept ImplementationImplementation

Online timetable

Medium-term timetable drawn up

Ordering process launched

Annual timetable finalised

Timetable study undertaken

IR Luzern–Zofingen .00

IC Romanshorn–Zürich .58

IC/ICE (DB-) Basel–Olten .56

IR Genève–Aéroport .56

IC Brig .54

IR Olten .53

IC/ICE Interlaken Ost .52

RE Bulle .51

RE Biel/Bienne .47

RE Biel/Bienne .43

IR Burgdorf–Zürich .39

.00 IR Zofingen–Luzern

.02 IC Zürich–Romanshorn

.04 IC/ICE Olten–Basel (-DB)

.04 IR Genève–Aéroport

.04 IC Interlaken

.07 IC Brig

.09 RE Bulle

.07 IR Olten

.13 RE Biel/Bienne

.17 RE Biel/Bienne

.21 IR Zürich–Burgdorf

.23 EC Interlaken/Milano–Brig

.25 IR Zürich–Brugg–Olten

Situation in 2012

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