Optimal Connected Urban Bus Network of Priority Lanes

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach and modeling for selecting an optimal network of public transport (PT) priority lanes. Bus priority schemes and techniques on urban roads and highways have proved effective for almost half a century. Many bus priority studies have been published and demonstrated worldwide, but none has dealt with optimal connected networks of PT priority lanes. The approach used in this study was based on a system wide concept to obtain optimal PT network coverage. Such a PT priority lane network would enable fast and less interrupted vehicle movement, would increase the reliability of transfers, and would provide better adherence to schedule performance. The study developed a model for the optimal selection of a set of PT priority lanes that maximized the total travel time savings and, at the same time, maintained balanced origin and destination terminals, given a budget constraint. An efficient CPLEX model was developed and tested. The model was used in a case study of Petah Tikva, a midsize city in Israel, and produced a successful, optimal network of priority lanes.