In the point of view of a train operator, the main concern with a train operation is not only to maintain a time schedule, but also to decrease the energy consumption as much as possible. Generally for a manual drive, a train conductor controls the train acceleration and deceleration by controlling the notches not to exceed the regulation velocity by considering the given maximum velocity profile for an operation route. For this case, the guideline for a conductor is needed to choose the proper notches by applying the notch optimization so as to drive at the regulation velocity and minimize energy consumption simultaneously. In this paper, the real-time notch optimization plan is suggested using a genetic algorithm that optimizes the notches for the remaining route in real time when the event occurs that track information or regulation velocity profile of the remaining route changes during train operation as well as a normal operation situation. An energy saving effect and the convergence behavior of the optimal solution obtained was analyzed in a genetic algorithm.

In express operation plans for urban trains, it is effective for the reduction of the number of sidetracks to apply a high performance train that has improved acceleration/deceleration ability and a regular train to local and express trains, respectively. In this research, based on a plan to use a high performance train for a local train, an optimization methodology is suggested to reduce the number of sidetracks and the operation time of the local train simultaneously. The optimization solver applied in this research is a genetic algorithm; headway, location of sidetrack and waiting time at the sidetrack are considered as design variables in the optimization problem. Consequently, by applying this system to Seoul metro line no.7, the effect of the suggested methodology was verified by obtaining the proper optimum solution.