Postgraduate Diploma in Operations and Timetable Simulation
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Operations and Timetable Simulation. 8 modules covering UIC Leaflet 406 (railway capacity), UIC Leaflet 451-1 (regularity margins) and OpenTrack. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Evaluate the capacity of railway lines and nodes.
Calculate running times from train dynamics.
Use microscopic operations simulation tools.
Build timetables with appropriate regularity margins.
Analyse timetable robustness and delay propagation.
Simulate operations at stations, nodes and terminals.
Evaluate investment scenarios through simulation.
Who it's for
- Railway planning engineer looking to specialise in Operations and Timetable Simulation.
- Operations simulation specialist looking to specialise in Operations and Timetable Simulation.
- Timetable designer looking to specialise in Operations and Timetable Simulation.
- Network capacity analyst looking to specialise in Operations and Timetable Simulation.
- Railway operations consultant looking to specialise in Operations and Timetable Simulation.
- Traffic management manager looking to specialise in Operations and Timetable Simulation.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter infrastructure managers.
What you'll work with
- UIC Leaflet 406 (railway capacity)
- UIC Leaflet 451-1 (regularity margins)
- Directive 2012/34/EU (single European railway area)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2075 (capacity allocation timetable)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/773 (TSI on operation and traffic management)
- Law 38/2015 on the Railway Sector
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Planning process: network, service and timetable1.2Line capacity and UIC Leaflet 4061.3Running times and regularity margins1.4Block sections and minimum headway1.5Stations, platforms and nodal capacity1.6Train path allocation and Network Statement1.7Clock-face timetables and pulse systems1.8Mixed passenger and freight traffic1.9Punctuality and quality indicators1.10Workshop: capacity calculation for a single-track line
2.1Equation of motion and resistances to motion2.2Traction and braking effort curves2.3Speed profiles and restrictions2.4Calculation of running times2.5Economical driving and coasting2.6Influence of gradients and curves2.7ETCS braking models2.8Rolling stock data for simulation2.9Validation with real running data2.10Practice: calculation of a typical run between two stations
3.1Microscopic versus macroscopic simulation3.2OpenTrack: infrastructure modelling3.3RailSys and LUKS: features3.4Signalling and interlocking model3.5Synchronous and asynchronous simulation3.6Model calibration and validation3.7Open-source tools and Python3.8Data interoperability with railML3.9Limitations and assumptions of simulators3.10Laboratory: building a model in OpenTrack
4.1Network graph and time-distance diagram4.2Conflict detection and resolution4.3Timetable optimisation with integer programming4.4Periodic Event Scheduling Problem4.5Connection and transfer coordination4.6Rolling stock schedules and diagrams4.7Driver duty rosters4.8Timetables for works and track possessions4.9Design tools: Viriato, TPS4.10Workshop: design of a regional clock-face timetable
5.1Primary and secondary delays5.2Delay propagation across the network5.3Monte Carlo stochastic delay simulation5.4Slack times and buffer times5.5Timetable stability indicators5.6Real-time rescheduling5.7Incident management and contingency plans5.8Traffic regulation support systems5.9Analysis of historical punctuality data5.10Practice: robustness assessment of a timetable
6.1Modelling complex stations6.2Shunting movements and depots6.3Platform allocation6.4Passenger flow simulation on platforms6.5Freight terminals and sidings6.6Interaction with urban and tram traffic6.7Capacity of depots and workshops6.8Discrete event simulation with AnyLogic6.9Visualisation and communication of results6.10Case study: track allocation at a terminus station
7.1Demand and service supply scenarios7.2Bottleneck analysis7.3Evaluation of new infrastructure7.4Impact of ERTMS Level 2 on capacity7.5Energy consumption by scenario7.6Railway cost-benefit analysis7.7Liberalisation and entry of new operators7.8Fare and multimodal integration7.9Presenting results to decision-makers7.10Case study: double track versus passing loops
8.1Corridor definition and objectives8.2Collection of infrastructure and fleet data8.3Modelling in the simulator8.4Calculation of running times8.5Design of the base timetable8.6Robustness and delay analysis8.7Evaluation of alternative scenarios8.8Operational recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real train run simulation procedures, timetable graph construction and delay propagation analysis. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Evaluate the capacity of railway lines and nodes.
Calculate running times from train dynamics.
Use microscopic operations simulation tools.
Build timetables with appropriate regularity margins.
Analyse timetable robustness and delay propagation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB, Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own-award diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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