The Systematic Timetable in a liberalized Railway Market

The so-called “Integrated Periodic Timetable” (ITF) is a systematic concept for the joint development of infrastructure and timetable. An ITF is perfectly suited for the needs of medium-sized countries that lack the potential for high-speed trains. However, its implementation highly affects timetabling and long-term infrastructure development and often requires cost-intensive infrastructure upgrades. In regard to the liberalization of railway markets, a non-discriminatory slot allocation for passenger trains is becoming increasinglychallenging as new players enter the market. Even legislation underlines the priority of the ITF, since in some countries slot allocation processes worsen the overall network performance. This paper presents a methodology to implement a network-wide ITF scheme in an open railway market focusing on passenger transport. Target functions for an attractive ITF-aligned network timetable are defined. The technical feasibility and possible legal solutions for timetable construction and slot allocation are investigated. Slot allocation processes and awarding schemes are analyzed for certainEuropeancountries that face the challenges of ITF-aligned timetabling and open access operations. Additionally, a procedure is developed, showing how system train paths fitting the ITF can be allocated and acquired by railway undertakings.Finally, the methodology is proven by means of a model simulation considering the previously defined target functions.