Network planning

Timetable design today involves heavy manual effort to produce credible options, with conflict detection and validation as downstream assurance.

Generate and assess multiple structurally valid timetable options to support strategic, blank-sheet design — apply rules, constraints, simulate trade-offs.

Problem is well understood; datasets known; planning teams already engaged. Eastern region and East Coast route a practical starting point.

Sub-optimal sectional run times, dwell assumptions and planning values accumulate across the network — reducing reliability and recovery headroom.

Use stable performance conditions to surface where the timetable under-delivers against its own assumptions — clearer evidence base for adjusting the base plan.

Direct, measurable impact and a shared system challenge that benefits coordinated delivery across operators and Network Rail.

Maintenance, access and possession planning are held in separate systems and assessed manually.

Bring together asset location, access constraints, resource availability and competency — supports more effective sequencing and dynamic re-planning.

Direct impact on network operations and service delivery; same capability supports possession-strategy and re-certification planning.

Current performance comparisons (this time last week, same period last year) rarely reflect the conditions that shape outcomes.

Identify closest historical analogues to an upcoming operating period to forecast likely performance pressures.

Earlier and more proportionate preparation — winter readiness, adhesion response, resource positioning.