A bi-objective optimization model to decide the lines attending a bus-stop with high passenger demands

Abstract

A public transportation network must change dynamically along the time due to the variation of the mobility of the population in interurban areas. This research addresses the challenge of serving newly detected zones with high passenger demand. We present a bi-objective optimization model to determine the feasibility of meeting new demands within the existing lines of the public transportation network. The two objectives considered are to minimize passenger overload on the selected lines and minimize travel time increases for these lines. Subsequently, a polynomial-time algorithm utilizing network flow techniques is introduced to solve the bi-objective problem. The algorithm is then incorporated into the decision-making system of Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife, S.A. We also explore the company’s utilization of this tool and demonstrate its current implementation in a real case scenario where a high-demand area is detected.