The Runtrain# simulation programme developed by IIT Delhi is an upgrade of the ‘Runtrain’ software that has been used by the Indian Railways since the 1990s.
NEW DELHI: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), a division of the Ministry of Railways, cooperated to develop the ‘Runtrain#’ train simulation application, according to an IIT Delhi press release.
The Indian Railways may utilise the new technology to create train schedules and timetables. The ‘Runtrain#’ Simulation programme is an upgrade of the ‘Runtrain’ software that the Indian Railways have been using since the 1990s.
The study project was created under the supervision of Subir Kumar Saha, lead investigator, and Satinder Paul Singh, mechanical engineering department, according to the news release. Bhanu Vardhan Chennoju, Shashwat Jain, Vishnu Sukumar, and Rajeevlochana G Chittawadigi were also on the team.
“Runtrain# was designed to investigate a wide range of train running parameters (TRPs) such as operating time, fuel consumption, coupler force, and so on. These characteristics aid railway employees in determining the number of locomotives, stock, and other items to be utilised, as well as scheduling. The software’s simplicity of use and visual graphical depiction of output make it ideal for assessing common planning concerns including the impact of temporary changes in speed limitations, halts, train configuration, and so on,” according to the release.
SK Saha, mechanical engineering department, IIT Delhi, stated of the Runtrain# simulation programme, “There is a paradigm change in railway operations.” The need for passenger and freight transportation has risen dramatically in recent years.
As a result, he continued, “Indian Railways is continually trying to enhance train running speeds as well as sophisticated traffic management to satisfy societal needs.” A simulation programme like Runtrain# will be a helpful tool for efficiently planning and scheduling trains at this time.”
BPS Bhadoria, joint director, motive power department, RDSO, wrote to IIT Delhi researchers, informing them that the simulation programme Runtrain# had been awarded the RDSO’s Best Research Project Shield for the 2020-21 year.