Virtual Coupling-Enabled Rescheduling Strategies for Urban Rail Transit During Single-Line Service Disruption

Operational disruptions in urban rail transit significantly degrade service quality and passenger experience, necessitating efficient rescheduling strategies. This study investigates the application of virtual coupling (VC) technology to enhance operational flexibility during single-line interruptions. We propose a novel rescheduling strategy—VC with section reverse driving (VC-SRD)—specifically designed for single-line disruption. A mixed-integer programming model is developed with the objective of minimizing total passenger waiting time, incorporating safety headway constraints, dwell time limits, and time-dependent passenger demand. Case studies indicate that the proposed VC-SRD strategy leads to a substantial reduction in passenger waiting time and a marked improvement in hauling capacity by 60%. Sensitivity analysis further reveals that the advantages of VC-SRD become more pronounced during prolonged interruptions exceeding 60 min, effectively alleviating peak-hour congestion risks. By providing a systematic and validated optimization framework, this research confirms that VC technology can substantially enhance network resilience and offer practical solutions for managing service interruptions in urban rail systems.