Bus Timetables with Even Passenger Loads as Opposed to Even Headways

Abstract

Bus timetables with even headways often require passengers to adjust to given timetables instead of adjusting the timetables to fluctuating passenger demand. This expectation is a main source of unreliable service that extends passenger waiting times at bus stops and creates overcrowding. Alternative transit timetables are created to improve the correspondence of vehicle departure times with passenger demand while minimizing resources (number of buses required). An automated method is presented. With the growing problems of transit reliability, and the advance in the technology of passenger information systems, even and clock headways become less important. Therefore, more efficient schedules from both the passenger and operator perspectives can be realized. The method presented uses an informative graphic technique. This approach enables the scheduler to examine changes in bus departure times and to obtain immediate feedback on the expected average passenger loads.