Crazy

Motives

User Manual
For the CrazyMotive’s Train Scheduler

Cole Mickens

Bailey Pink

Jake Weber

Team CrazyMotives 630 N 14th Lincoln, NE 68508 T 785-222-0655 crazymotives@gmail.com http://www.crazymotivesconsulting.com

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Table of Contents

Introduction 2
System Use 3
Overview 3
Navigating the User Interface 4
Home Page (Open Network Page) 5
Choosing or Creating a Network 6
Edit Network Properties 7
View Nodes 7
Adjusting Mixes 8
Cost Adjustment 9
Changing an Arc’s Capacity 10
Changing a Node’s Capacity 11
Generating Reports 12
Report Explanations 14
Appendices 15
Appendix A: Quick Reference Guide 15
Appendix A: Quick Reference Guide 16
Additional Support 18

Publication Date: April 27, 2010

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Introduction

This user’s manual will guide you through the Train Scheduler. It will take you through a step-by-
step process of using the product, from logging in to the results you will receive. It contains
pictures of what the product should look like at each stage of the process, and some of what to
expect while using the Train Scheduler.

If you are looking to get started a little faster, use the quick reference guide in Appendix A at the
end of this document. It will take you through a mock utilization of the Train Scheduler.

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System Use

Overview

The Train Scheduler is a system that will calculate the benefits and costs of different scenarios
regarding the network of trains. It employs the use of the simplex algorithm to calculate these
things. The program first requires the user to log in. A username and password are necessary to
access the website. Once accessed, the home page will display. From here, you can upload a
new network, open a network, or use the available default network.

The Train Scheduler allows you to make various improvements to networks in the system. You can
adjust the capacity of either a node or a link, which will cause a change in revenue for the system.
It is also possible to manually change the mixes of trains crossing the links of the system. After
changes, or investments, have been made, reports are generated to help the user decide whether
or not the investment would be profitable or not. Finally, there is also a help page, which will aid in
troubleshooting any potential problems that arise.

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Navigating the User Interface

To begin navigating the user interface, first you must log in. Figure 1, found below, displays what
the log in page looks like. To log in, follow these steps:

Returning User:

1. Enter username in appropriate text box.

2. Type in password.

3. Click Login.

Once successfully logged in, the program will let you navigate freely around the website.

Figure 1
Depicts the log in page.

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Home Page (Open Network Page)

The home page, as seen in Figure 2, presents the options that the user can take for the first step of
using the Train Scheduler. The first step is choosing a network. The user can:

• Upload a network.
• Open an existing network.
• Open a default network provided.

The home page offers a link to the help page for additional troubleshooting. There is also a link to
logout of the system, ending the Train Scheduler.

Figure 2
Shows the home page of the Train Scheduler

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Choosing or Creating a Network

A network must be uploaded or an existing network chosen to work with before proceeding with
the Train Scheduler. There is also an option of a default network provided. Figure 3 shows how
the network uploading page should look.

To upload a new network:

1. Click on the “Upload Network” link on the home page.

2. Choose a network name.

3. For the node file, click the corresponding

“choose file” button. Then select the correct
node file

4. Repeat step 3 and select an arcs file.

5. Repeat step 3 and choose a standard flow

file.

6. Repeat step 3 and choose a priority flows file.

7. Repeat step 3 and choose a cost file.

Figure 3
8. Repeat step 3 and choose a standard revenue file.
Depicts the page to upload a network.

9. Repeat step 3 and choose a priority revenue file.

Note: To upload a standard (legacy)
10. Once all the files are chosen, click “Upload” network, simply leave any priority file
empty.

To open a network:
1. Click on the link “Open Network”. Note: If you just logged in, this
should be your current page.
2. There should be a list of existing networks.

3. Choose and click on one of the available networks.

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To use the default network:

1. Click on the “Default Network” link on the home page.

2. This will open the “Edit Network Properties” page.

Edit Network Properties

Once a network has been selected, a page where changes can be made to the network properties
should open. To adjust any of these properties:

1. Locate the text field

directly to the right of the
property you want to
adjust.

2. Highlight the number

currently in the field. Click
delete.

3. Enter the desired value.

4. Click save.

To return to this page from any

other, simple click “Network
Properties”.

Figure 4
Depicts the network properties.

View Nodes

To view the nodes in the network, click on the “Nodes” link.

This brings up a table with each node, sorted by name, with
its corresponding capacity. Figure 5 shows an example of
the nodes in a system and their capacities.

Figure 5
Shows the nodes in the system.

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Adjusting Mixes
To view all of the arcs, or links between the nodes, of the network, click on the “Arcs” link. This is
also where the train mixes can manually be adjusted. To make this change:

Locate the correct starting and ending node for the appropriate link. The table is able to be
sorted by any of the columns (Id, start node, end node, train capacity, standard trains, priority
trains). Each of these can be sorted in either ascending or descending order. To resort the
table, click on the small button containing arrows ( ) at the top of the column you wish to
sort by.

The total number of trains allowed on the link is located in the train capacity column.

To adjust the number of standard trains on the link:

1. Click in the text box in the

standard trains column
associated with the desired
link.

2. Delete the existing number

and enter the desired number.

3. Ensure that this number

added with the number of
priority trains does not exceed
the train capacity.

4. Click save.

To adjust the number of priority trains:

1. Click in the text box in the

priority trains column
associated with the desired
link.

2. Delete the existing number

and enter the desired number.
Figure 6
3. Ensure that this number added with the number of Displays all links in the network.

standard trains does not exceed the train capacity.

4. Click save.

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Cost Adjustment
Clicking on the option “Investment Properties” will open a new page, similar to Figure 7 below, that
will allow you to indicate how much the investment will cost each year.

To adjust the cost of the investment per year:

1. Choose a name for the investment and enter it in the corresponding text field.

2. Choose the year(s) to change.

3. Click the box corresponding with the year so the curser shows.
Note: The values entered need
4. Delete the zero there as a default and replace with desired value. to be in terms of millions.

5. Click save. This returns you back to the home page.

Figure 7
Shows the page to apply investment costs

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Changing an Arc’s Capacity

On the home page, choose the link “Arc Investment”. This will open a new page that allows the
capacity of an arc to be changed. Figure 8, below gives an example of how it will look.

To adjust an arc’s capacity:

1. Choose and type in a start node. Note: The start and end nodes
must already exist.
2. Type in the name of the end node.

3. Enter the new capacity in the corresponding text field.

4. Click save to apply the changes made to the network.

Figure 8
Shows the web page handing changing
an arc’s capacity.

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Changing a Node’s Capacity

On the home page, choose “Node Investment”. This leads to a new page, which allows the
capacity of a node to be altered. The page should appear like Figure 9 below.

To adjust the capacity of a node:

Note: The node must
1. Type the node name in the top text field.
already exist.

2. Enter the desired capacity in the bottom text field.

3. Click the save button to change the node’s capacity.

Figure 9
Displays the web page to change
a node’s capacity.

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Generating Reports

Two types of reports can be generated: a base report and an investment report.

Base Report

The base report details the network as a whole. It produces information about the network, and
about the links and nodes in the network. A breakdown of costs and a car flow breakdown are
also generated. Figures 10 - 14 to the right show how the reports will look.

Network Information:

The following information is generated about the network as a whole:

• Total network cost

• Total network revenues
• Total profit

Figure 10
Breakdown of costs:
Shows network information

The following information is given about priority cars, standard cars, and the total network:

• Non-fuel costs
• Fuel costs
• Car costs

Figure 11
Link Information:
Cost breakdown report

The following information will be given about each link in the investment report:

• Number of priority cars crossing

• Number of standard cars crossing
• Number of total cars crossing
• Number of priority trains crossing
• Number of standard trains crossing
• Maximum number of trains on link
• Utilization of link Figure 12
Depicts link report

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Node Information:

The following information is reported regarding each node in the system:

• Outflow of standard cars

• Outflow of priority cars
• Outflow node capacity used as a
percentage
• Inflow of standard cars
• Inflow of priority cars
Figure 13
• Inflow node capacity used as a percentage Shows node report

Car Flow Breakdown:

The following information is given about each arc and the cars passing over it:

• Start node
• Arc
• Number of priority cars on priority trains
• Number of standard cars on priority trains
• number of standard cars on standard trains
Figure 14
Car flow breakdown

To access this report, click the link “run a report on the network” on the home page. This will open
a new page containing the above information.

Investment Report

This report details the investment. It compares the original, or base, network to the improvements
that were made to it. This report contains the financial information about the investment.

Investment Information:

This page holds the information, financial and otherwise, to make a solid decision on whether or
not the investment should be made. It holds information such as:

• The net present value

• Payback period
• Internal rate of return

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Report Explanations

Net Present Value

Net present value is perhaps the most important figure to consider about a possible investment. It
evaluates the investment calculating the positive (or negative) revenue the investment will result in.
It takes into account the present value of all future cash that may be received or invested.

For the investment to be advantageous, the net present value should be positive. If there is a
minimum profit that is needed, the net present value would need to exceed that value for the
changes to be beneficial.

Payback Period

The payback period measures the amount of time it will take the investment to recover its initial
costs. The smaller this figure is, the better. This means that a profit will be earned soon from
making the investment. If a certain return period is expected, this measurement would need to be
less than the necessary return time. This program that a maximum of a five year payback period
from the time the investment takes place is necessary for the change to be recommended.

Internal Rate of Return

The internal rate of return measures the profitability of an investment. Given as a percentage, or
rate, it is easy to compare this figure among multiple investment choices. At this given rate, the net
present value of the investment is equal to zero, resulting to benefits from the investment. The
higher the internal rate of return, the better the investment is. Generally, there is a minimum internal
rate of return that is acceptable for each investment.

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Appendices

Appendix A: Quick Reference Guide

This quick reference guide concisely describes how to use the system in a step by step process. It
gives a brief and general overview of how to use the system properly. It is designed for those users
who prefer to learn as they go and like to jump right into things.

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Appendix A: Quick Reference Guide

Prerequisites:

You must be authenticated.

Step One – Log in:

You must log in to use the Train Scheduler.

Step Two - Choose and Open a Network:

You must choose a network to use. You can either upload your own,
use an existing network, or use the default network provided to you.

Step Three – Adjust a Node’s Capacity:

If you want to change the capacity of a node, click on

the link to go to the node adjustment page. Then
provide the node’s name and the new capacity.

Step Four - Adjust a Link’s Capacity:

If you want to change the capacity of a link, click on the

appropriate link to go to the link adjustment page.
Then provide the link’s start and end node, its new total
capacity, and the respective standard and priority
capacities. Ensure the standard and priority capacities
sum to the total capacity.

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Step Five - Enter Investment Costs:

Once there has been a change made to the network,

the cost of the investment must be considered. Click
the appropriate link to enter investment costs. Then
enter the cost of the investment for the next ten
years in the corresponding text fields.

Step Six - Generating Results:

To generate results about the improvements made to the network, simply click “Investment
Report”. This will open a page displaying financial figures about whether or not the investment
would be profitable. It will also include a recommendation about whether or not the investment
should be made.

Step Seven - Adjusting the Mixes:

If you want to find the optimal solution manually using this program, you can do so by adjusting the
mix of trains crossing the links. To do so, go to the “Arcs” page. This will give you a table will all
arcs and their current mix of trains. The mix can be changed and saved, and the network rerun to
see if the change was optimal.

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Additional Support

For additional support, please email CrazyMotives at TrainScheduler@crazymotives.com. Any feedback,

comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and considered.

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