A web service based advanced traveller information system for itinerary planning in an uncertain multimodal network

Abstract

This article intends to provide an advanced traveller information system based on open geospatial consortium (OGC) standards to perform a fuzzy bi-criteria shortest-path analysis for a multimodal transportation network. To do so, chaining of OGC web services is used to resolve interoperability problems among distributed and heterogeneous resource data. First, a web feature service is assigned to each mode of transportation to gather and convert the data to a standard format, such as geographic markup language. Then, the obtained data are combined to model and construct the multimodal transportation network. Subsequently, a web processing service is designed for performing a fuzzy bi-criteria shortest-path analysis in the multimodal transportation network. Finally, the best routes between the origin–destination pair are presented on a digital map by using a web map service. In the study, among various route-selection criteria, travel time and comfort are considered. To model these criteria, the fuzzy set theory is utilized. By using fuzzy decision tables and a Tsukamoto fuzzy inference system, the desirability of the routes is calculated. The results of comparison among the four travel routes between various origin–destination pairs indicate that the proposed system could be an applicable tool for providing pre-trip information and assisting multimodal travellers under uncertain conditions.