Brno, the historical centre of the Moravia region, is located in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. The Brno railway junction originated as a small terminal serving routes from Břeclav and Vienna. As additional railway lines were connected over time, the infrastructure gradually expanded in response to growing operational requirements. Today, Brno is one of the most important railway junctions in the Czech Republic.
Country
Czech Republic
Client / Owner
SUDOP Praha / ČD
Timeframe
2005
Terminal type
Railway junction
Problems and study goals
The Brno railway junction faces the challenges of modern railway operations. However, its location in the city centre and ongoing urban development severely limit opportunities for further infrastructure expansion. As a result, the junction faces several constraints, including limited infrastructure capacity, an outdated track layout, and ageing equipment. To meet current and future transport demand, significant infrastructure and operational improvements are required. Since the existing main station also restricts further urban development, relocation of the station outside the city centre has been considered. The main objectives of the project were as follows:
- Evaluation of train routing and traffic distribution during 24-hour operations.
- Assessment of the capacity of critical parts of the junction infrastructure.
- Evaluation of the impact of train delays on railway operations.
Study results
To achieve these objectives, a detailed simulation model of the junction was developed using the Villon simulation tool. The model included Brno Main Station, its connections to adjacent stabling facilities and railway lines, as well as the Židenice and Černovice stations. Two principal scenarios were analysed: the proposed timetable under normal operating conditions and the same timetable with simulated train delays. Based on the simulation results, timetable adjustments were made to ensure that all planned traffic could be accommodated while maintaining operational robustness. Infrastructure capacity was assessed using a wide range of performance indicators, including train throughput, utilisation of inbound and outbound tracks, occupation of platform tracks, and utilisation of track switches.
