Real-Time Public-Transport Operational Tactics Using Synchronized Transfers to Eliminate Vehicle Bunching

Scheduled public transport (PT) service on a defined network often encounters unforeseen variations of arrival times mainly because of traffic problems, unexpected passenger demand, and driver behavior. These variations will create the undesirable vehicle (particularly bus) bunching phenomenon unless a proper control action is introduced. This study develops a methodology to attain optimally real-time control actions to minimize the bunching phenomenon. To this end, a “library” of selected operational tactics is constructed, for the PT operators, not only to assist in reducing vehicle bunching but also to increase the likelihood of direct (without await) transfers. The library of operational tactics serves as a basis for a process of real-time control actions to maintain the scheduled headway and thus achieving maximal transfer synchronization. The methodology developed, using simulation, is applied to a case study of actual bus routes operated in the region of Auckland, New Zealand. The results imply what tactic to use in real time, what is the optimal control strength, and what is the saving of riding and waiting times in comparison with PT operation without using tactics. The findings show that a significant improvement, in avoiding bunching and increasing the number of direct transfers, is attained by the use of a combination of selected tactics.

[1]  Ricardo Giesen,et al.  How much can holding and/or limiting boarding improve transit performance? , 2012 .

[2]  Ulrich Weidmann,et al.  PASSENGER ARRIVAL RATES AT PUBLIC TRANSPORT STATIONS , 2007 .

[3]  Carlos F. Daganzo,et al.  A headway-based approach to eliminate bus bunching: Systematic analysis and comparisons , 2009 .

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

[5]  Tomer Toledo,et al.  Mesoscopic simulation for transit operations , 2008 .

[6]  Carlos F. Daganzo,et al.  Reducing bunching with bus-to-bus cooperation , 2011 .

[7]  Carlos F. Daganzo,et al.  Dynamic control of complex transit systems , 2015 .

[8]  Per-Åke Andersson,et al.  ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF AN URBAN BUS ROUTE , 1979 .

[9]  G. F. Newell,et al.  Control Strategies for an Idealized Public Transportation System , 1972 .

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

[11]  Mark A. Turnquist,et al.  EVALUATING POTENTIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF HEADWAY CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR TRANSIT SYSTEMS , 1980 .

[12]  R. Adam Molnar.  Bus Arrivals and Bunching , 2008 .

[13]  Carlos F. Daganzo,et al.  Dynamic bus holding strategies for schedule reliability: Optimal linear control and performance analysis , 2011 .

[14]  Avishai Ceder,et al.  Optimal coordination of public transit vehicles using operational tactics examined by simulation , 2008 .

[15]  T. P. Hutchinson,et al.  A Behavioural Explanation of the Association Between Bus and Passenger Arrivals at a Bus Stop , 1975 .

[16]  Ricardo Giesen,et al.  Real-Time Control of Buses in a Transit Corridor Based on Vehicle Holding and Boarding Limits , 2009 .

[17]  Stefan Voß.  Network Design Formulations in Schedule Synchronization , 1992 .

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

[19]  A. Barnett.  On Controlling Randomness in Transit Operations , 1974 .

[20]  Tao Liu,et al.  Synchronizing Public Transport Transfers by Using Intervehicle Communication Scheme , 2014 .

[21]  Avishai Ceder,et al.  Public Transit Planning and Operation: Modeling, Practice and Behavior , 2015 .

[22]  Averill M. Law,et al.  Simulation Modeling and Analysis , 1982 .

[23]  Ricardo Giesen,et al.  Analysis of real-time control strategies in a corridor with multiple bus services , 2015 .

[24]  Mark D. Hickman,et al.  The Real–Time Stop–Skipping Problem , 2005, J. Intell. Transp. Syst..

[25]  G. F. Newell.  Control of Pairing of Vehicles on a Public Transportation Route, Two Vehicles, One Control Point , 1974 .

[26]  Avishai Ceder,et al.  Optimal combinations of selected tactics for public-transport transfer synchronization , 2014 .

[27]  Haris N. Koutsopoulos,et al.  Impacts of Holding Control Strategies on Transit Performance , 2011 .

[28]  H. Michael Zhang,et al.  Dynamic Holding Strategy to Prevent Buses from Bunching , 2013 .

[29]  Avishai Ceder,et al.  A Robust, Tactic-Based, Real-Time Framework for Public- Transport Transfer Synchronization , 2015 .