SIMPLE EXAMPLE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

THE RESULT

Having determined the meets with passenger trains, the dispatcher may now use the excess time to the benefit of other trains or maintenance work. For example, No 101 need not arrive at Albany from the connecting territory to the east until 10:12. No 104 need not be at Chicago until 10:11. No 102 need not be at Detroit until 10:21. The next step in the planning process will be for the dispatcher to work out meeting points for No 101 against No 102 and No 104 based on the new times generated by the passenger train meets.

Note that while passenger trains are used in the example, any trains that are time sensitive and require priority, such as intermodal trains carrying trailers and containers of mail and package express, are handled in the same manner.