Application of the Method of Increasing the Practical Throughput Performance in the Conditions of the Slovak Railways

Abstract Rail transport is a continuous process that must be coordinated at all levels of management and is determined by technological processes. From a technological point of view, it is important to correctly determine the practical throughput of the track section, also called the railway infrastructure capacity. This means how much train traffic can be used to load the track section so that it shows sufficient train traffic stability even in the event of operational irregularities. The article is focused on the method of increasing the capacity of the Drienovská Nová Ves - Kysak track section with using the application of the method of determining the practical throughput performance in the anticipated timetable. Detailed determination of the occupation times of the section in the current state and in the application of individual proposals to increase the capacity of the investigated railway line provide us with information on other possibilities of modernization of the railway infrastructure in Slovak Republic. The article describes and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of individual proposals to increase capacity of the track section. As part of the future modernization of the railway infrastructure of this track section, it is necessary to implement these measures, as the track section under investigation is part of the AGTC and TEN-T international railway corridors. When designing new corridors, it is necessary to analyse and optimize the current railway network. The intention is not only to increase the quality of railway infrastructure, but also the quality of goods and passenger transport.