Parametric modeling in rail capacity planning

Describes the development and application of a parametric model at Canadian National Railway (CN) for use in rail capacity planning. The Parametric Capacity Model is a practical tool that is used to help improve track asset utilization through the measurement and monitoring of system track capacity. Understanding capacity is essential for determining the amount of traffic that can be moved over a rail system and the degree of service and the reliability that can be expected. The Parametric Capacity Model was developed to provide this understanding by measuring theoretical, practical, used and available track capacity.