Transit Route Network Design for Low-Mobility Individuals Using a Hybrid Metaheuristic Approach

Tao Zhang,Gang Ren,Yang Yang

doi:10.1155/2020/7059584

Abstract

This paper follows the previous effort of authors and builds the model of transit route network design for low-mobility individuals, proposing an appropriate solution methodology. Firstly, a desired objective, whose priority is to meet transit demands of low-mobility individuals followed by those of general public, is presented to minimize the weighted sum of direct traveler, transfer, and unsatisfied demand costs. Then, a hybrid metaheuristic approach based on ant colony and genetic algorithms is formulated to solve the proposed model in accordance with current conditions (i.e., existing routes that may need to undergo configuration adjustments to different degrees). Finally, the case study of Wenling is presented to highlight the performance and benefits of the proposed model and solution methodology.

Highlights

Given that many individuals are unable to access all bene ts of transportation services due to their limited mobility and the low-mobility population is large in China, some researchers started focusing on low-mobility individuals (LMIs, e.g., older adults, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities) in various elds, such as policy development [1], tra c data collection [2], and modeling mode choice [3]
Modeling transit route network design for LMIs (TRNDLMI) is necessary and essential, since this is the theoretical basis in order to improve travel conditions of LMIs
Section 5.2.3 (Evolution analysis from ant colony algorithms (ACA) to genetic algorithms (GA)) suggests that the ACA–GA applied on the TRNDLMI problem can meet three degrees of con guration adjustments and better satis es the transit demands of LMIs

Summary

Introduction

Given that many individuals are unable to access all bene ts of transportation services due to their limited mobility and the low-mobility population is large in China, some researchers started focusing on low-mobility individuals (LMIs, e.g., older adults, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities) in various elds, such as policy development [1], tra c data collection [2], and modeling mode choice [3]. The authors analyzed the transportation demands of LMIs in Wenling, China [4], following the results of Jansuwan et al, [5] as a reference. Erefore, this paper pays attention to the transit demands of LMIs and presents the stage of research e orts: a transit route network design model for LMIs with the same case study of Wenling, China. Exiting studies related to transit route network design (TRND) have been presented by many researchers in di erent public transportation networks. Is article aims to solve the TRNDLMI problem, i.e., to aid the design of transit networks that are more conducive to travel demands, and in particular those of LMIs. In this paper, the adjustments of stops and headway of routes are mainly dealt with, and a hybrid metaheuristic approach is adopted to compensate for the shortcomings of existing algorithms.

Literature Review

Findings

Solution Methodology