In August and September 2017, trains suddenly became more punctual. | Illustration: B. Büchel et al. (2020)

A tunnel collapse at Rastatt, Germany, in 2017 caused chaos on the European rail network. Researchers at ETH Zurich have analysed the impact it had on the main station in Basel (Basel SBB). They have shown how passenger trains during this time (here in red) were more punctual than before or after (in blue). Only a few trains were more than five minutes late (above the 20-percent line). The reason was that goods trains either didn’t run, or were diverted through Schaffhausen. And German passenger trains starting further south than Rastatt were also more punctual when arriving in Basel.

B. Büchel et al.: Empirical dynamics of railway delay propagation identified during the large‑scale Rastatt disruption. Scientific Reports (2020)

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