Evaluating Impacts of Bus Facility Design Features on Transit Operations in Beijing, China: Simulation Approach

Recent developments in public transportation in China are aiming to increase transit efficiency and particularly toward minimizing bus delays with the goal of relieving congestion in most cities. Understanding the factors that impact bus velocity (and hence travel time) has important implications for improving China’s public transit facility design features relative to public transit efficiency. This paper describes a simulation-based evaluation model designed to support a quantitative exploration of the factors influencing bus travel efficiency. In order to make the results more reasonable and relevant to China’s urban traffic characteristics, the simulation is based on measurements from real-world traffic conditions. The model’s capabilities are demonstrated using an orthogonal experimental design (OED) method. Nine independent variables and their attributes were defined: presence of a bus lane, bus stop type, bus stop location, non-bus volume, bus volume, right turn percent, bus dwell time, presence of bus berths, and green ratio. Three evaluation indices were used: bus velocity, non-bus velocity, and all-vehicle velocity. An illustrative case study also demonstrates that the OED can be a useful tool in the traffic and transportation field for further research.