Postgraduate Diploma in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management. 8 modules covering Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/773 (ETI on operation and traffic management), Royal Decree 664/2015 (Railway Traffic Regulations) and OpenTrack. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Calculate the capacity of railway lines and junctions.
Analyse how disruptions propagate through the network.
Apply real-time traffic regulation techniques.
Use optimisation models to support decision-making.
Manage serious incidents using coordinated protocols.
Reschedule rolling stock and staff following a disruption.
Analyse incidents after the event to improve punctuality.
Who it's for
- Railway traffic controller who wants to specialise in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management.
- Timetable planner who wants to specialise in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management.
- Railway capacity analyst who wants to specialise in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management.
- Operations optimisation engineer who wants to specialise in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management.
- Incident manager who wants to specialise in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management.
- Punctuality manager who wants to specialise in Traffic Regulation and Disruption Management.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join railway infrastructure managers.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/773 (ETI on operation and traffic management)
- Royal Decree 664/2015 (Railway Traffic Regulations)
- Law 38/2015 on the Railway Sector
- Directive 2012/34/EU (single European railway area)
- UIC Leaflet 406 (capacity)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/782 (rail passengers’ rights)
- Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2017/2075 (capacity allocation process)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Line and station capacity1.2UIC Leaflet 406 on capacity1.3Blocking times and sections1.4Constructing timetable graphs1.5Clock-face timetables1.6Regularity margins1.7Slack and buffer times1.8Compatibility of mixed traffic1.9Timetable planning tools1.10Practical: capacity calculation according to UIC 406
2.1Types of incident2.2Primary and secondary delays2.3Delay propagation across the network2.4Timetable robustness2.5Measuring punctuality2.6Statistical analysis of delays2.7Bottlenecks2.8Infrastructure and rolling stock incidents2.9External factors and weather2.10Workshop: delay propagation analysis
3.1Regulation objectives3.2Train re-sequencing3.3Track changes and overtaking3.4Speed adjustment3.5Cancellations and service limitations3.6Priority rules3.7Managing route conflicts3.8Connections and interchanges3.9Real-time passenger information3.10Practical: manual conflict resolution
4.1Formulating the rescheduling problem4.2Integer linear programming4.3Alternative graphs4.4Dispatching heuristics4.5Decision support systems4.6Connected eco-driving (C-DAS)4.7Traffic simulation with OpenTrack4.8Algorithm evaluation4.9Integration into TMS systems4.10Workshop: rescheduling model using integer programming
5.1Network contingency plans5.2Road replacement services5.3Temporary single-track operation5.4Evacuation of stranded trains5.5Coordination with emergency services5.6Rescheduling rolling stock and staff5.7Crisis communication5.8Service restoration5.9Lessons from major incidents5.10Case study: managing an overhead line failure at peak hour
6.1Rolling stock diagrams6.2Driver duty rosters6.3Rescheduling rolling stock after incidents6.4Crew rescheduling6.5Recovering the service plan6.6Coordination with depots6.7Integrated resource optimisation6.8Labour restrictions6.9Resource planning tools6.10Practical: recovering diagrams after a disruption
7.1Incident logging7.2Delay attribution7.3Punctuality incentive schemes7.4Improving timetable robustness7.5Maintenance and capacity7.6Recovery indicators7.7Root cause analysis7.8Procedure review7.9Benchmarking European networks7.10Workshop: punctuality improvement plan
8.1Selection of line and timetable8.2Capacity analysis8.3Punctuality and disruption analysis8.4Design of regulation strategies8.5Decision support model8.6Scenario simulation8.7Contingency plan8.8Evaluation indicators8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenTrack, RailSys, Python (OR-Tools), Gurobi, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work uses real procedures for simulating delay propagation, analysing line capacity and studying case examples of serious incidents. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Calculate the capacity of railway lines and junctions.
Analyse how disruptions propagate through the network.
Apply real-time traffic regulation techniques.
Use optimisation models to support decision-making.
Manage serious incidents using coordinated protocols.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme’s software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with OpenTrack, RailSys, Python (OR-Tools), Gurobi and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
An in-house SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Diploma in Stakeholder Management and Communications
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in stakeholder management and communications. 8 modules covering stakeholder analysis, engagement planning, project communication, conflict management, social licence and monitoring,…
Diploma in Vibration Mitigation and Damping Devices
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in vibration mitigation and damping devices. 8 modules covering vibration sources, experimental dynamic characterisation, tuned mass dampers, viscous and viscoelastic…
Diploma in SHM and Structural Monitoring of Bridges
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SHM and structural health monitoring of bridges, structured in 8 modules covering monitoring objectives, sensors and measurement, data acquisition…
More in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities
All Civil, Rail & Smart Cities programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships