Mathematical model for planning the distribution of locomotives to meet the demand for making up trains

Abstract The cost for locomotive distribution over the rail yards to meet the locomotive demand for train formation is very high. Thus, this paper proposes a mathematical model based on the Locomotive Scheduling Problem for locomotive distribution planning to meet the demand of the rail yards seeking to minimize the distribution costs. The proposed model presents a new formulation for the LSP with Multiple Locomotives and considers the imbalance between offer and demand of locomotives, this situation was not addressed in the literature yet. Tests on instances based on real data from the Vitória a Minas Railroad (EFVM) were solved optimally using CPLEX 12.6. The model proved to be a good tool to analyze the locomotive distribution planning. When compared with the manual planning currently held by the railroad, the results showed several gains.