Parametric Analysis of APM Operational Components: Stopping Policy, Stations and Headway

This study examines generically relationships among the three parameters using a single line transit system. Optimization models are developed to determine the optimum number of stops and headway combinations for two types of stopping schemes: all-stop and on-call stopping. The objectives of the models are minimum user travel time and minimum total cost (user cost plus operator cost). Under the optimum number of stops and headway, the user travel time for the two schemes are compared to identify the best stopping scheme. The optimum values of three parameters are found to be very sensitive to the changes in any other parameters; particularly, to fleet size, passenger volume, access speed and unit user and operating costs.