Bus Timetabling Optimisation Method with Passenger Waiting Time and Dwell Time for Different Bus Passenger Capacity

Jia Jiun Gan,Choon Wah Yuen,Siok Zhen Oi,Mohd Rasdan Ibrahim,Boon Hoe Goh,Chiu Chuen Onn

doi:10.13189/cea.2020.080428

Abstract

The primary aim of this research is to solve the timetabling optimisation problem of bus service with multiple bus types consideration. A bus timetabling optimisation model with bi-objective functions is constructed. The first objective is to minimize the total bus dwell time for all bus stops along the route. The second objective is to minimize the total passenger waiting time for all passengers at all bus stops. Both objectives are considered simultaneously in the model by using weighted optimisation model with one objective function. Genetic algorithm is used to decide the bus departure time and type of bus used for every trip. Moreover, the passenger demand distribution is used to simulate the bus dwell time at all bus stops in the algorithm. Real-life bus passenger data such as passenger demand is used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed timetable and the productiveness of the timetabling optimisation model. The proposed optimal bus timetable from optimisation model is able to reduce the total dwell time by 14.88% and the total passenger waiting time by 23.55% compared with the bus timetable currently used. The result shows that the constructed bus timetabling optimisation model is effective to provide a reliable bus timetable by balancing the benefits between the bus passengers and operators.

Highlights

Transit bus is one of the most important transportation modes and has high passenger demand due to its convenience
Timetable optimisation is essential on public transit service, in which the departure time and bus type used of each bus trip are determined
This paper aims to solve bus timetable optimisation by using Genetic algorithm (GA) to minimize passenger waiting time and bus dwell time at bus stop with consideration of passenger capacity

Summary

Introduction

Transit bus is one of the most important transportation modes and has high passenger demand due to its convenience. Timetable optimisation is essential on public transit service, in which the departure time and bus type used of each bus trip are determined. To obtain a highly efficiency timetable, it is crucial to consider the satisfaction of both bus operator and passengers. The recent literatures on bus timetabling optimisation focus on bus travel time, service quality and transit reliability. Fleurent [2] used analytical improvement and microsimulations to develop run-time values in order to enhance the bus operating system. Sun [4] had researched on limited-stop bus services by optimise the bus trip time and stopping criteria of a bus stop. The punctuality and reliability of proposed the bus timetable is enhanced. Noel [7] studied factors that impact the reliability and efficiency of a bus service by using non-linear programming

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Conclusion