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Motives
User Manual
For the CrazyMotive’s Train Scheduler
Cole Mickens
Bailey Pink
Jake Weber
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
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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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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:
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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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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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 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.
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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:
4. Click save.
Figure 4
Depicts the network properties.
View Nodes
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.
4. Click save.
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.
1. Choose a name for the investment and enter it in the corresponding text field.
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.
Figure 7
Shows the page to apply investment costs
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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.
Figure 8
Shows the web page handing changing
an arc’s capacity.
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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:
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:
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Node Information:
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:
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Report Explanations
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.
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
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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Prerequisites:
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.
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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.
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
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