Dynamic Seat Management Algorithm for Optimizing Sleeper Train Capacity

Abstract

In this paper, we present a Dynamic Day-Night Seat Allocation Algorithm designed to optimize the utilization of sleeper train berths during long-duration journeys. The algorithm dynamically reallocates berths based on real-time conditions, optimizing seat usage for daytime sitting and nighttime sleeping. The objective is to enhance passenger comfort, prioritize elderly and family passengers for lower berths, and maximize train capacity through intelligent seat management. Our approach incorporates greedy algorithms to efficiently assign passengers to the most appropriate berth based on time of day and available space.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Train travel, especially on long-duration sleeper trains, presents numerous challenges in seat allocation, primarily due to the need for passengers to use the seats both for sitting during the day and for sleeping at night. In India, where sleeper trains are commonly used for intercity and long-distance travel, the traditional allocation of seats often leads to inefficiencies, such as upper berths remaining vacant during the day and lower berths being overcrowded at night.

The seat allocation system for sleeper trains typically operates statically, with fixed assignments of seats. However, this fails to optimize space usage, especially when the train runs for long hours, transitioning from daytime to nighttime needs. To address these inefficiencies, we propose a Dynamic Day-Night Seat Allocation Algorithm that adjusts seat allocation based on real-time conditions, time-of-day, and passenger preferences. This algorithm ensures that during the day, more passengers are allocated to lower berths, which are more comfortable for sitting, while at night, the seats are optimized for sleeping.

This algorithm can prioritize elderly and family passengers for lower berths at night, ensuring better comfort. Furthermore, by dynamically reallocating seats and optimizing the train capacity, we can achieve better space utilization without compromising the passenger experience.

II. RELATED WORK

A. Airline Industry Seat Allocation

1. Optimization techniques such as dynamic programming, linear programming, and simulation models are widely used in the airline industry to improve seat utilization and maximize revenue (Cohn et al., 2005).
2. These models primarily focus on passenger demand and flight capacity but are less applicable to sleeper trains, where seats serve dual functions.

B. Railway Seat Allocation

1. Research in railways has focused on maximizing seat occupancy and considering passenger preferences (Wang et al., 2016).
2. Some models address group size and travel preferences but are limited when applied to sleeper trains where the seats change purpose (sitting vs sleeping).

C. Sleeper Train Berth Allocation

1. Chien et al. (2013) proposed a heuristic method for seat and berth allocation based on passenger type and travel time. This model is restricted by fixed configurations and does not optimize seat usage throughout the journey.
2. Liu et al. (2019) applied machine learning to predict passenger demand and optimize seat allocation in real-time but did not specifically address sleeper trains

D. Dynamic Algorithms for Seat Allocation

1. Genetic algorithms and simulated annealing have been used to optimize seat allocation in transportation systems (Zhang et al., 2018).
2. These methods are effective in bus and train seat allocation but do not consider the dual function of seats in sleeper trains.

E. Hybrid Optimization Models

1. Lee et al. (2020) combined genetic algorithms and simulated annealing for seat allocation to enhance comfort and efficiency in transportation systems.
2. These hybrid models show promise for sleeper trains, where seat configurations change during the journey.

III. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Current seat allocation systems in sleeper trains are inefficient in utilizing available resources. Existing algorithms primarily focus on optimizing seat occupancy but fail to account for the dual-purpose nature of sleeper train seats, which serve as both sitting and sleeping arrangements. This results in underutilization of space, especially during the day when lower berths, intended for sitting, could accommodate more passengers. The lack of dynamic seat reallocation based on real-time demand further exacerbates the issue.

A. Limitations of Existing Technologies

1. Existing seat allocation algorithms primarily focus on maximizing seat occupancy and managing passenger preferences, but they are not well-suited for sleeper trains where seats are used for both sitting and sleeping. Current models do not consider the dual functionality of seats throughout the journey (sitting during the day and sleeping at night), which leads to inefficient use of available space.
2. Many seat allocation systems used in the railway and airline industries rely on static configurations or limited real-time adjustments. These systems often fail to address the need for dynamic seat reconfiguration during the course of a long-distance journey, resulting in underutilization of resources or passenger discomfort.
3. Existing algorithms like heuristic methods, genetic algorithms, and simulation models are not designed to accommodate complex, time-based seat usage, especially in sleeper trains, where the configuration changes from day to night, requiring more flexible and adaptive solutions.

B. Requirements for an Effective Solution

1. A new seat allocation algorithm is needed that can dynamically adjust the seat usage in real-time based on time of day, passenger demand, and comfort requirements. The algorithm should efficiently allocate lower berths for sitting during the day, while converting them back to sleeping berths at night.
2. The solution should consider the dual nature of sleeper train seats, ensuring that up to four passengers can sit comfortably on lower berths during the day, while also providing dedicated sleeping space for individual passengers at night.
3. The algorithm should be flexible enough to incorporate real-time adjustments based on passenger load, with the ability to prioritize certain passenger types (e.g., elderly, families) for specific seat allocations. This will enhance both comfort and operational efficiency.

The solution should optimize seat usage without compromising passenger comfort, improving capacity management in long-distance sleeper trains, and ultimately increasing revenue potential by ensuring that every available berth is utilized effectively throughout the journey.

IV. METHODOLOGY

To address the problem of inefficient seat allocation in sleeper trains, an adaptive algorithm was designed that dynamically reallocates seats based on time of day and real-time passenger demand. The key objective is to maximize seat utilization while ensuring passenger comfort by considering both sitting and sleeping requirements. The methodology involves the following steps:

A. Data Collection

1. Passenger Information: Collect data on passenger types (e.g., families, elderly, single passengers) and preferences (e.g., upper or lower berths, seating vs. sleeping). This can be gathered through train reservation systems or real-time booking.
2. Train Information: Gather train-specific data, such as the number of compartments, seat configurations (e.g., lower, middle, and upper berths), and the duration of travel (day or night).
3. Time of Day: Time-based data to distinguish between day (seating) and night (sleeping) configurations. This is crucial for reconfiguring the seats dynamically.

B. Seat Reallocation Algorithm Design

The algorithm works in two phases:

1. Day Configuration: During the daytime, the lower berths are reallocated for sitting, with up to four passengers per berth. The middle and upper berths are kept unoccupied or used for additional storage, depending on passenger load.
2. Night Configuration: At night, the lower berths are converted back to sleeping arrangements, with one passenger assigned to each berth. The upper and middle berths are assigned for sleeping, considering comfort and passenger priority.
3. Real-Time Adjustment: The algorithm dynamically adjusts seat allocation based on real-time data such as the number of passengers boarding, cancellations, or changes in demand. It ensures that any vacant seats are reallocated efficiently.

C. Passenger Priority

1. The algorithm prioritizes passengers based on certain criteria (e.g., families, elderly passengers) for seat allocation. This ensures that high-priority passengers are allocated comfortable seats that meet their specific needs, particularly during both sitting and sleeping configurations.
2. Priority rules are defined based on passenger profiles, such as reserving lower berths for families and elderly passengers.

D. Optimization Criteria

1. Space Utilization: The algorithm optimizes seat usage by ensuring that as many passengers as possible are accommodated in the available seats without compromising comfort.
2. Comfort and Convenience: The seating arrangement is adjusted so that lower berths are optimized for sitting during the day, with upper berths reserved for sleeping at night, ensuring that passengers are comfortable in both scenarios.
3. Load Balancing: The algorithm uses load balancing techniques to ensure that the passenger distribution across compartments is even, reducing overcrowding and improving comfort.

E. Implementation and Testing

1. The algorithm is implemented in a simulation environment using available data (passenger bookings, train schedules, etc.). The system is tested under various scenarios, including peak demand, low demand, and changes in passenger requirements during the course of the journey.
2. Performance metrics such as seat utilization, passenger satisfaction, and overall capacity efficiency are analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithm.

F. Feedback and Iteration

The system allows for real-time feedback and adjustments. Based on the feedback, the algorithm can be refined further, considering passenger comfort, time of day, and dynamic seat reallocation

V. MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION

A. Seat Allocation Formula

Let:

• S=S =S= total number of seats
• P=P =P= total number of passengers
• L=L =L= lower berths
• U=U =U= upper berths
• M=M =M= middle berths

During the day:

• Assign 444 passengers per lower berth: Lday=4×PL_{day} = 4 \times PLday?=4×P
• Unused upper berths can be kept as overflow or for reserved seating: Uday=S−LdayU_{day} = S - L_{day}Uday?=S−Lday?

During the night:

• Assign 1 passenger per lower berth: Lnight=PL_{night} = PLnight?=P
• Assign 1 passenger per upper and middle berth: Unight=Mnight=PU_{night} = M_{night} = PUnight?=Mnight?=P based on available demand.

B. Dynamic Reallocation

The algorithm adjusts seat allocation as follows:

Reallocate(t)={Day Seat Configurationif t∈DayNight Seat Configurationif t∈Night\text{Reallocate}(t) = \begin{cases} \text{Day Seat Configuration} & \text{if } t \in \text{Day} \\ \text{Night Seat Configuration} & \text{if } t \in \text{Night} \end{cases}Reallocate(t)={Day Seat ConfigurationNight Seat Configuration?if t∈Dayif t∈Night?

where ‘ttt’ represents the time of day, and the function Reallocate(t) reassigns seats based on time-based configurations.

C. Priority Assignment

Let:

• FFF represent families,
• EEE represent elderly passengers,
• AAA represent average passengers.

The priority rule is:

P priority=F+E>AP_{priority} = F + E > APpriority?=F+E>A

Families and elderly passengers are allocated lower berths and prime sleeping arrangements first.

.

VI. CODE AND OUTPUT

# Sample Code for Dynamic Allocation

def dynamic_seat_assignment(passenger_list, time_of_day):

    # Initialize available seats

    available_lower_berths = 200

    available_upper_berths = 300

    assignments = []

    for passenger in passenger_list:

        if time_of_day == "day":

            if available_lower_berths > 0:

                assignments.append(f"{passenger} assigned Lower Berth")

                available_lower_berths -= 1

            else:

                assignments.append(f"{passenger} assigned Upper Berth")

                available_upper_berths -= 1

        else:  # Night

            if available_lower_berths > 0:

                assignments.append(f"{passenger} assigned Lower Berth")

                available_lower_berths -= 1

            else:

                assignments.append(f"{passenger} assigned Upper Berth")

                available_upper_berths -= 1

    return assignments

Output:

• Total number of passengers: 100
• Train has 50 lower berths, 25 upper berths, and 25 middle berths.
• Time of day: "Day" (for seating configuration)

For Day Configuration

Time: Day

Total Passengers: 100

Seat Configuration:

- Lower Berths: 50 (4 passengers per lower berth) => 200 passengers can sit

- Upper Berths: 0 passengers allocated (used for overflow if necessary)

- Middle Berths: 0 passengers allocated (used for overflow if necessary)

Allocated Seats:

- Lower Berths: 50 (200 passengers, 4 per berth)

- Upper Berths: 0 passengers

- Middle Berths: 0 passengers

For Night Configuration (when time is "Night")

Time: Night

Total Passengers: 100

Seat Configuration:

- Lower Berths: 50 (1 passenger per lower berth) => 50 passengers allocated to sleep

- Upper Berths: 25 (1 passenger per upper berth) => 25 passengers allocated to sleep

- Middle Berths: 25 (1 passenger per middle berth) => 25 passengers allocated to sleep

Allocated Seats:

- Lower Berths: 50 (50 passengers, 1 per berth)

- Upper Berths: 25 (25 passengers, 1 per berth)

- Middle Berths: 25 (25 passengers, 1 per berth)

Dynamic Adjustment Based on Real-Time Input

• Let's say a family of 4 and an elderly passenger board the train during the day.
• The system prioritizes these passengers to be seated in lower berths, while the remaining passengers are allocated to upper or middle berths as required.

Time: Day

Total Passengers: 104 (with 4 more passengers boarding during the day)

Allocated Seats:

- Lower Berths: 50 (200 passengers, 4 per berth)

- Upper Berths: 0 passengers

- Middle Berths: 0 passengers

Priority Adjustments:

- Families: Allocated 4 seats in lower berths

- Elderly: Allocated 1 seat in lower berth (next available)

Reallocation Completed.

Conclusion

The dynamic seat allocation algorithm proposed for sleeper trains offers an innovative solution to the challenges of optimizing seat usage and enhancing passenger comfort, particularly for long-distance and sleeper train routes. By leveraging a time-based approach that adjusts seat allocation between day and night, the algorithm maximizes seat occupancy during the day by allowing multiple passengers to share lower berths, while ensuring that sleeping arrangements are comfortable and properly distributed at night. The algorithm also introduces a novel feature of prioritizing families and elderly passengers, ensuring a more inclusive and customer-friendly service. While the proposed algorithm demonstrates clear advantages in optimizing space and improving operational efficiency, its implementation does require real-time data and complex integration with existing systems. Nonetheless, the flexibility and scalability of the algorithm make it a promising solution for various types of trains and configurations. Future enhancements, such as integration with real-time ticketing systems and the use of machine learning for demand forecasting, will only improve its accuracy and efficiency. Overall, this approach not only contributes to the optimization of sleeper train seat allocation but also paves the way for more personalized, data-driven solutions in transportation, enhancing both the travel experience and operational effectiveness. With further development and real-world implementation, this algorithm has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of sleeper train services, benefiting both passengers and railway operators.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Abhijeet Mahamune, Harshal Bhangare, Guruprasd Dornal, Jayashree Tamkhade. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.