A Google Maps-Based Flex-Route Transit Scheduling System

Abstract

In this paper, Google mapping techniques are applied to develop a cost-efficient scheduling system for flex-route transit, which currently is the most popular type of flexible transit services. It is different from previous flexible transit scheduling systems which have to rely on geographic information. Web-based techniques guarantee a smooth access for the scheduling system to obtain road network data from Google servers. Also, in this innovative scheduling system, web-based techniques enable client sides to be easily used and are well organized. As well, the access to real-time traffic reports could possibly provide a more accurate travel time estimate, which helps to construct reliable vehicle routing plans. The simulations, based on a newly designed flex-route service case, verify the feasibility of this web-based flex-route transit scheduling system. Additionally, the results indicate that, with the help of real-time traffic information, this promising scheduling technique could have better performance especially in congested service areas.