Conceptual proposals for optimizing the process model for managing a fleet of empty freight cars

The article discusses the improvement of the process model for managing the fleet of empty freight cars in Russian Railways. An analysis of the current model, developed based on the Regulations for the process of planning the performance indicators of the fleet of empty freight cars on the railways of JSC Russian Railways No. 1397/r dated 02.07.2025, was conducted, which revealed two systemic shortcomings: the verification of the throughput and processing capacities of the infrastructure using a dynamic model of infrastructure loading only at the final stage of reviewing applications for railway cargo transportation, as well as the lack of a formalized mechanism for selecting stations for empty car parking after unloading. To eliminate the identified shortcomings, the authors proposed measures to transfer the data input to the DM ZI to the first stage of processing applications and introduce a new structural element «Control over unloading and further work with empty car fleet» into the process model. Implementation of these measures will reduce application review times, decrease empty mileage, increase section speed, line throughput, and station handling capacity.

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