Optimal coordination of public transit vehicles using operational tactics examined by simulation

This work focuses on improving transit-service reliability by optimally reducing the transfer time required in the operations of transit networks. Service reliability of public-transit operations is receiving increased attention as agencies are faced with immediate problems of proving credible service while attempting to reduce operating cost. Unreliable service has also been cited as the major deterrent to existing and potential passengers. Due to the fact that most of the public transit attributes are stochastic: travel time, dwell time, demand, etc., the passenger is likely to experience unplanned waiting times and ride times. One of the main components of service reliability is the use of transfers. Transfers have the advantages of reducing operational costs and introducing more flexible and efficient route planning. However its main drawback is the inconvenience of traveling multi-legged trips. This work introduces synchronized (timed) time-tables to diminish the waiting time caused by transfers. Their use, however, suffers from uncertainty about the simultaneous arrival of two (or more) vehicles at an existing stop. In order to alleviate the uncertainty of simultaneous arrivals, operational tactics such as hold, skip stop and short-turn can be deployed considering the positive and negative effects, of each tactic, on the total travel time. A dynamic programming model was developed for minimizing the total travel time resulting with a set of preferred tactics to be deployed. This work describes the optimization model using simulation for validation of the results attained. The results confirm the benefits of the model with 10% reduction of total travel time and more than 200% increase of direct transfers (transfers in which both vehicles arrive simultaneously to the transfer point).

[1]  Shinya Hanaoka,et al.  Passengers' Perceptions and Effects of Bus-Holding Strategy Using Automatic Vehicle Location Technology , 2009 .

[2]  R. Bellman.  Dynamic programming. , 1957, Science.

[3]  Avishai Ceder,et al.  Improving Bus Passenger Transfers on Road Segments through Online Operational Tactics , 2007 .

[4]  Michel Gendreau,et al.  Real-Time Dispatching of Public Transit Operations with and without Bus Location Information , 1995 .

[5]  Nigel H. M. Wilson,et al.  Bus network design , 1986 .

[6]  Boaz Golany,et al.  Creating bus timetables with maximal synchronization , 2001 .

[7]  James H. Bookbinder,et al.  Transfer Optimization in a Transit Network , 1992, Transp. Sci..

[8]  Ross R. Maxwell,et al.  Intercity Rail Fixed-Interval, Timed-Transfer, Multihub System: Applicability of the Integraler Taktfahrplan Strategy to North America , 1999 .

[9]  Mark D. Hickman,et al.  An Analytic Stochastic Model for the Transit Vehicle Holding Problem , 2001, Transp. Sci..

[10]  James H. Bookbinder,et al.  Synchronized scheduling and random delays in urban transit , 1990 .

[11]  Jerry Banks,et al.  Handbook of simulation - principles, methodology, advances, applications, and practice , 1998, A Wiley-Interscience publication.

[12]  Maged Dessouky,et al.  REAL-TIME CONTROL OF BUSES FOR SCHEDULE COORDINATION AT A TERMINAL , 2003 .

[13]  Averill M. Law,et al.  The art and theory of dynamic programming , 1977 .

[14]  Randolph W. Hall,et al.  Bus dispatching at timed transfer transit stations using bus tracking technology , 1999 .

[15]  Frederick S. Hillier,et al.  Introduction of Operations Research , 1967 .

[16]  Avishai Ceder,et al.  Public Transit Planning and Operation: Theory, Modeling and Practice , 2007 .

[17]  Jonathan Levine,et al.  Impacts of an Advanced Public Transportation System Demonstration Project , 2000 .

[18]  Eui-Hwan Chung,et al.  Development of Control Strategy for Intermodal Connection Protection of Timed-Transfer Transit Routes , 2007 .

[19]  Nigel H. M. Wilson,et al.  Modeling real-time control strategies in public transit operations , 1999 .

[20]  Mark E.T. Horn,et al.  Procedures for planning multi-leg journeys with fixed-route and demand-responsive passenger transport services , 2004 .

[21]  David Bernstein,et al.  The Holding Problem with Real - Time Information Available , 2001, Transp. Sci..

[22]  David Koffman,et al.  A SIMULATION STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE REAL-TIME BUS HEADWAY CONTROL STRATEGIES , 1977 .

[23]  Mark D. Abkowitz,et al.  OPTIMAL CONTROL OF HEADWAY VARIATION ON TRANSIT ROUTES , 1986 .

[24]  Martin Desrochers,et al.  Computer-Aided Transit Scheduling , 1992 .