Urban Transport Operations Research Articles

A generalized integrated framework for urban public transport operations evaluation based on interval neutrosophic TODIM and EDAS technique

A generalized integrated framework for urban public transport operations evaluation based on interval neutrosophic TODIM and EDAS technique

Technology of regular urban passenger transportation operation improvement

Introduction. The degree of passenger vehicle capacity utilisation affects the economic component of regular urban passenger transport operation, as it depends on the number of passengers transported, which affects the revenue from transportation, as well as on the passenger vehicle capacity, which affects the cost of transportation. One of the tasks formulated in the programme-target documents of the Republic of Belarus is to achieve full selfsufficiency of urban regular passenger transport. One of the ways to ensure this can be maximising the degree of capacity utilisation set by the manufacturer of the passenger vehicle.The aim of the paper is to estimate the degree of passenger vehicle capacity utilisation and dynamics of its change, as well as to develop measures to improve the efficiency of urban regular passenger transport.Materials and methods. When writing the article, the data obtained by a full-scale survey of passenger flows in one of the cities of the Republic of Belarus, conducted in 2019 and in 2024, were used. When writing the article, statistical methods (descriptive statistics, fitting, visualisation, assessment of significance of differences using statistical criteria), analysis of scientific literature and work technology, synthesis of proposals were used.Conclusions. The low degree of utilisation of passenger vehicle capacity is shown. The new technology of the organisation of work of the city passenger transport of regular communication, allowing to increase use of capacity of passenger vehicles and, at the expense of this efficiency of such work is offered.The possibility of further use of the results of scientific work. The received results substantiate necessity of development of scientific toolkit for optimisation of assignment of passenger vehicles to flights taking into account passenger load on them and other restrictions.Practical significance. This article shows the need to develop measures to improve the efficiency of passenger vehicle capacity utilisation for the purposes of increasing the efficiency of urban regular passenger transport.Originality. This paper shows the change in the degree of use of passenger vehicle capacity, shows the factors affecting it, and proposes a new technology for organising the work of urban regular passenger transport. The article will be useful for officials of the management bodies responsible for the organisation of the work of urban passenger transport of regular communication, as well as employees of the enterprises of urban passenger transport, transport scientists.

Effect of the duration of vehicles’ idleness at transfer hubs of urban passenger transport on the conditions of synchronization of passenger transfers

Problem. The task of synchronizing the time of passengers' transfers between routes has been defined as one of the important directions for improving the operation of urban passenger transport in the transport and transfer hub. The simultaneous presence of route vehicles within the stops makes it possible to transfer passengers without waiting. Due to the action of external factors, compliance with the terms of coordination of the vehicles’ arrival at the transport hub is significantly complicated, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of synchronization of passenger transfers and requires the implementation of additional management measures. Goal. The purpose of the work is to determine the effect of the duration of idleness of route vehicles in a transport interchange on the parameters of synchronization of passenger transfers and conflicting traffic within the stops. Methodology. The methodological basis for establishing the effect of the duration of vehicles’ idleness in a transport interchange on the efficiency of synchronization of passenger transfers is the developed structural model of the interaction of incoming route flows. Such a model describes the functional relationship between the traffic parameters of route vehicles, the distance between the initial stopping point of the route and the transfer point, the technical speed on network sections, the traffic intensity on routes, the idle time at intermediate stopping points, the average time of a passenger transfer and the number of conflict situations. Results. In the process of analyzing the object of the study, it was determined that it is possible to improve the conditions of synchronization of passenger transfers by increasing the duration of the stay of route vehicles at the stops. It was determined that the key role in synchronizing the transfer of passengers is played by the determination of the departure time of route vehicles from the initial stopping point, accounting for external impacts and laws of distribution of random values of the technical speed and the idle time at intermediate points. The developed circuit of functional communication allows to present the process of finding vehicles in a transport interchange as a complex system of synchronization of the route flows interaction. Originality. It is proposed to use a rational time of route vehicles idleness at the stop points of the transport and transfer hub, which allows to partially compensate for the decrease in the effectiveness of the synchronization of passenger transfers. When determining the time of vehicles idleness, the frequency of traffic conflicts that occur with adjacent routes at stopping points is also taken into account. The obtained regularities are presented in the form of characteristic functions, which allow to evaluate the effect of the duration of route vehicles stay in the transport interchange hub on the parameters of the efficiency of route flows interaction. Practical value. According to the results of experimental studies, the dependences of changes in the average passenger transfer time and conflicting traffic of route vehicles were established for the transport and transfer hub "Odeska St." (Kharkiv). It was determined that in the conditions of synchronization of the traffic schedule, the idle time of route vehicles within 180 seconds is rational. This enables to reduce the time of inter-route transfer of passengers and ensure a low level of conflict of the route vehicles traffic.

Implementation of Analytical Accounting Models and Management Indicators and Development of Business Intelligence and Business Analytics Tools in Urban and Metropolitan Collective Transport Operators: A Case Study

Purpose: The study aims to conceptualize and describe tools for improving the strategic definition of business models and facilitating decision-making in urban transport. It focuses on integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Business Intelligence (BI) tools to address sustainability concerns and enhance operational efficiency. Method: The research explores the evolution of management tools in urban transport, and use the case study of Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife S.A.U. (TITSA) in order to illustrates practical application. Result and Conclusion: The implementation of analytical accounting models and BI tools result in significant improvements in decision-making and operational efficiency. It allowed for better cost calculation, revenue analysis, and margin identification.

Assessment of the Impact of Intercity Bus Station Relocation on Passenger Flows in Urban Public Transport

Problem. The analysis of existing studies on transport hub operation in a city as well as on the methods for modelling the transport demand they generate showed that there are no specific recommendations for assessing the impact of the intercity bus station location on the trip patterns in urban transport system. This caused the need to search for a tool suitable to assess the influence of intercity bus station relocation on passenger service and passenger flows in the urban transport system. This paper shows the results of addressing this issue respective to urban public transport operation. Goal. The goal of the paper is to model the passenger flows to and from intercity bus stations considered transport anchors in urban public transport system as well as estimate the impact of station relocation on passenger flows and quality of service. Methodology. To achieve the stated goal, a survey of intercity passengers at the bus stations in the city of Rivne was made. This allowed for collecting the distances of the trips to and from existing bus stations and fitting the theoretical distribution to describe them. This distribution was used as the deterrence function during trip matrix calculation, which was required for the development of the public transport model. The model made it possible to quantify the potential impact of the Bus Station “Rivne” relocation on the urban transport system. Results. The considered bus station relocation can cause a decrease in the quality of service for passengers travelling to and from the station by public transport due to a probable significant increase in the average travel time and distance, the number of transfers, the passenger hours spent on travelling, and the passenger-kilometres covered to ensure the trips under study. Originality For the first time, the quantitative estimation of the impact of bus station relocation based on the regularities in the lengths of the trips to and from the stations was obtained. Practical value. The obtained trip length distribution can be used to calculate the origin-destination matrix, develop the public transport model, and quantify the probable consequences of the transport hub relocation.

The Influence of Regional Socioeconomic Features On the Distribution of Financial Resources For Higher Education

The article is devoted to solving the problem of “budgetary financial adequacy of higher education” in China through a fairer, uniform, and sufficient distribution of financial costs for higher education among the provinces of this country, considering significant differences in the natural, economic, and social conditions of development in various regions. Currently, in China, the calculation of standard financial costs for the education sector is carried out according to the legal requirements of the Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance, taking into account the number of people studying at the corresponding level of education, the cost norm for this level of education, and the deviation coefficient. Instead, this article proposes a more comprehensive and rational approach that considers regional differences in the cost of living and the financial burden on higher education institutions, increasing the government’s responsibility for supporting a balanced distribution of financial resources for higher education. To take into account regional differences, it is proposed to use a system of indices for the difference in the costs of regional development, which includes three main categories of indicators: natural factors (the complexity of the terrain and the share of the area planted with forests), economic factors (the index of prices for raw materials, GDP per capita, freight traffic, and the total duration of operation of urban public transport), and social factors (population density in municipal areas, number of graduates of general education colleges and universities). To determine the fair size of budgetary expenditures on higher education, it is proposed to make adjustments to the index of differentiation of regional development expenditures, which combines these indicators using the geometric regression average benchmark method (without including a constant term). A higher value of this index means that the region needs more resources to achieve the same level of development as another region, so the standard budget expenditures for higher education should be higher for it. For all provinces in China, the coefficient of financial adequacy of higher education was calculated as the ratio between the standard financial costs of higher education (calculated according to the proposals outlined in this article) and the actual costs incurred. It is proposed that this coefficient be used as a basis for optimizing their distribution. The article emphasises the need to form a strategy for financing higher education in China, which should be based on a dynamic permanent adjustment of the amount of allocated financial resources depending on changes in the regional social and economic conditions of development of each province, an effective institutional mechanism that would allow adapting this strategy to endogenous and endogenous changes in China’s economy, optimisation of horizontal transfer payments and partnership assistance programs, and incentive mechanisms for local governments to invest in higher education.

Performance-Based contracting of urban transport operation Services: Evidence from Porto’s Light-Rail

This paper develops a bonus/malus incentive model for contracting out the provision of urban railroad operation services, and testing parts of its performance using Monte Carlo methods. We also provide evidence on the performance measures of Metro do Porto’s (MdP) light-rail network operation, during the 2010–2016 term of a bonus/malus-based contract, incorporating some features of our model. Results document that the implementation of a performance-based contract with an embedded incentive bonus/malus mechanism may contribute to promoting ridership patronage, increasing the average ride, and ultimately promoting the overall economic operating efficiency of the system. The comparative operating performance analysis of MdP versus Metropolitano de Lisboa, a vertically integrated, governmentally-owned metro network, shows that MdP exhibits higher revenue, cost, and operating efficiency in the 2010–2016 period, and that the bonus/malus mechanism induces the private sub-concessionaire to respond more efficiently to changes in demand.

Моделирование объемов отправлений городского общественного транспорта

Organizing the effective operation of urban public transport and planning the development of transport infrastructure requires predicting the volume of passenger traffic. In particular, it needs to predict the volume of passenger departures from stopping points, which depends on a large number of different factors, such as the population density near the stopping point, the types of transport departing from it, the number of routes passing through it, etc. In this article, we propose modeling outgoing passenger traffic based on a regression approach. To test the approach and determine the most appropriate specifications for regression equations, data on passenger boarding volumes at bus stops in Ekaterinburg, as well as open data from the database of apartment buildings, were used.

ОБЗОР ПРОБЛЕМЫ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ГАЗОТУРБИННОЙ УСТАНОВКИ ДЛЯ ЗАРЯДКИ АККУМУЛЯТОРНЫХ СИСТЕМ ГРАЖДАНСКОГО ЭЛЕКТРОТРАНСПОРТА

The issues of energy saving are considered on the example of the operation of urban electric transport. The review of various chargers, stations for electric transport is carried out, various comparative characteristics of microturbine and gas piston installations are presented. The technical features of electric vehicles of various manufacturers are analyzed, the classification of electric vehicle power plants is given, the results of using prototypes of urban electrical engineering are indicated, and a review of microturbine technologies on the Russian market is given.

Short-term Passenger Flow Prediction of Urban Rail Transit based on ARIMA Model

Urban rail transit is very important in modern urban transportation, which meets the needs of People's Daily travel. This paper aims to introduce the ARIMA model into the short-term passenger flow forecast of urban rail transit, analyze its principle and application method, and build ARIMA model combined with AFC data to forecast short-term passenger flow of urban rail transit. Through the research and improvement of ARIMA model, it is anticipated that it would give urban rail transport operators more precise and trustworthy short-term passenger flow forecasting capabilities, so as to realize more intelligent and efficient operation of urban rail transit system. In this study, the ARIMA model was established, and rigorous scientific methods such as residual test, autocorrelation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) test, and comparison of predicted value and real value were adopted to conduct tests step by step according to the experimental process. Finally, it was confirmed that the excellent prediction accuracy of the ARIMA prediction model used in this paper, can provide accurate prediction results, and can be used in practical scenarios.

Exploring Public Transportation Supply–Demand Structure of Beijing from the Perspective of Spatial Interaction Network

A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between public transportation supply and demand is crucial for the construction and sustainable development of urban transportation. Due to the spatial and networked nature of public transportation, revealing the spatial configuration and structural disparities between public transportation supply and demand networks (TSN and TDN) can provide significant insights into complex urban systems. In this study, we explored the spatial configuration and structural disparities between TSN and TDN in the complex urban environment of Beijing. By constructing subdistrict-scale TSN and TDN using urban public transportation operation data and mobile phone data, we analyzed the spatial characteristics and structural disparities of these networks from various dimensions, including global indicators, three centralities, and community structure, and measured the current public transportation supply and demand matching pattern in Beijing. Our findings revealed strong structural and geographic heterogeneities of TSN and TDN, with significant traffic supply–demand mismatch being observed in urban areas within the Sixth Ring Road. Moreover, based on the percentage results of supply–demand matching patterns, we identified that the current public transportation supply–demand balance in Beijing is approximately 64%, with around 18% of both excess and shortage of traffic supply. These results provide valuable insights into the structure and functioning of public transportation supply–demand networks for policymakers and urban planners; these can be used to facilitate the development of a sustainable urban transportation system.

Wrocław public transport passengers’ satisfaction survey by means of CSI and IPA

The purpose of this paper was to assess the level of satisfaction of passengers using public transport services in Wrocław and to identify the quality characteristics that the service provider needs to improve if it wants to increase the overall quality of its services. The passenger satisfaction survey was conducted according to the stages of the developed procedure outlined in the article. In pursuit of the stated goal, CSI and IPA were used. The main measurement tool used was a survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted on a sample of 500 respondents, which allows us to trust the results at 95%, assuming an “estimation error” of ± 5%. A total of 14 transport demands were selected to evaluate the level of satisfaction of passengers using services provided by MPK Wrocław. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using Statistica 13.3 software and using functions and commands available in Microsoft Excel. The results obtained allowed us to conduct a detailed analysis related to the level of the services quality of the Wrocław’s public transport. These results should be used by urban transport organisers and operators to shape their transport offerings, primarily in terms of increasing the quality of transport services. This is very important since it is, among other things, the quality of public mass transport that determines the quality of life of residents, as well as the conditions for economic development of the transport network.

Using Space-L complex network model for public transportation supply and demand analysis in Taipei metropolitan area

As an important means of transportation in modern cities, public transportation plays an important role in people’s travel and the economic development of urban areas Harvey 1971 [1]. Many researchers apply the complex network theory to urban public transport network, construct complex networks and view the operation of urban public transport from the perspective of complex networks. The study established a complex network model of BUS, MRT (metro), LRT (light rail) and Multi-vehicle. And based on the weighted analysis of the actual passenger traffic, the weighted complex network model which conforms to the actual travel characteristics is obtained, and the relationship between the public transport station and the surrounding land use in Taipei metropolitan area is discussed.

Условия труда производственного персонала трамваев в городах Челябинской области в 1930-е гг.

An important characteristic of the level of development of society is the material conditions of the life and work of its people. The relevance of the study is due to the ability to identify the conditions which primarily determined the efficient operation of urban electric transport based on analysis of historical sources. The purpose of the study is to identify the main factors which influenced tram workers in their daily work in Chelyabinsk, Zlatoust, Magnitogorsk in the 1930s. On the basis of materials from Federal and Regional archives and journalistic press, the paper presents the main production characteristics of the tram economy of the RSFSR. It analyzes the operational characteristics of the rolling stock, working conditions in the depot and on the traffic lines, and the influence of the human factor in the 1930s on the working of the trams. Historical sources were analyzed through the prism of the history of everyday life. The methodology was based on case-studies. The author shows that the cumulative effect of the harsh natural and climatic conditions, the lack of equipped work places, tools, and materials led to excessively long working shifts, and constant personnel turnover. The circumstances of working conditions were dictated by the general level of technical equipment of the time and the level of development of the industry. The factors identified in the course of the study which influenced the working conditions in the tram facilities of the cities of the Chelyabinsk region enabled the general situation in the 1930s in the field of trams in the cities of the RSFSR to be characterised (with the exception of Moscow and Leningrad).

Evaluation of complexity of urban bus routes

Bus transport is the main (often the only) passenger transport connecting all cities of Uzbekistan and their rural settlements and has an important social significance. In modern conditions, the main factor that motivates passengers to choose certain routes and modes of transport in public transport is safe and high speed. Operational conditions on city bus routes vary in complexity, requiring a special approach to planning traffic, measures to ensure fast and safe movement on the route, standardization of the quality of services, and the introduction of fair systems of state financial support. The current methods and technologies for determining the level of complexity of the direction recommended by researchers require specialists to conduct complex tests or special knowledge. There is a need for simple and universal methods of assessing the complexity of the route so that the competent authorities regulating the activities of urban public transport and transport operators can quickly make decisions. This article systematizes the factors influencing the complexity of regular routes served by bus companies operating in the structure of urban public transport and proposes a method of assessing the index of route complexity.

МЕТОДИКИ И МОДЕЛИ ОЦЕНКИ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ АВТОМОБИЛЬНОГО ТРАНСПОРТА НА ЭКОСИСТЕМУ СИМБИОТИЧЕСКОГО ГОРОДА

The article discusses methods for environmental assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of transport measures for sustainable mobility (on the example of Polotsk and Novopolotsk – symbiotic cities of the Republic of Belarus), including the reduction of CO2 emissions from transport activities, improving the operation of urban passenger transport, reducing the number and the severity of the consequences of traffic accidents. Guidelines and research methodology have been developed to monitor the effectiveness of the implemented measures for sustainable mobility in the city of Polotsk and Novopolotsk, including the reduction of CO2 emissions, studies of the mobility of the population of these cities have been carried out. An assessment of the environmental impact of road transport on the urban ecosystem and forecasting of this impact for the future (depending on the proposed scenarios) was carried out.

The Experience and Enlightenment of Asian Smart City Development—A Comparative Study of China and Japan

With the urbanization level advancing in cities, increasingly significant urban ecological environment problems must be solved. The construction of a smart city with the overall development of information technology also regards environmental friendliness as the primary goal. The “smart” idea of urban environment innovation and governance has become a new model. In this paper, we first expound on the development process of low-carbon cities, eco-cities, and smart cities in Japan and China. Then, we analyze the coordinated development of intelligent environmental protection measures in government policies, transportation, energy utilization, resource recovery, and community management. Finally, we compare Japan and China’s smart city development characteristics. We discuss the improvement measures for energy utilization, urban transportation, and urban operation, including developing renewable energy systems, efficient energy use, and citizen participation policy. These experiences can provide feasible measures for constructing Asian smart cities and have great significance for the city’s sustainable applications and practice.

Size of Cities and Transport Costs in African Countries of the CFA Franc Zone

The results presented here want to make a contribution in the field of transport. Our purpose is to shed light on the evolution of public transport costs as the size of the city increases. We also try to highlight the role of certain factors that are characteristic of the supply: level of service, vehicle capacity, spatial extension, frequencies, etc. In this article, we show, from a sample of 25 African cities, that it is doubtful that economies will emerge in the operation of urban public transport when the size of cities grows. The growth in operating expenses, more than proportional to the size of the cities, can be explained by both a growth in the unit cost (at the place-kilometer-offered) and the offer to the inhabitant. Large cities (in terms of population) escape the drift of unit charges, but not per capita charges because of a particularly strong supply. The comparison between large cities and small towns suggests that the capacity of the buses in circulation can be a decisive factor in the improvement of productivity. Capacity growth, however, appears to be occurring in very large cities, such as Abidjan or Bamako, whose counterpart may well be @ the lengthening of travel times and distances. These results then raise the question of a divergence between the performance of urban services and the economic efficiency of spaces.

Transport System and Infrastructure

Transportation systems face ever-increasing challenges due to escalating urbanization. Ageing transportation infrastructure struggles to meet today’s needs while personal choices related to urban transportation have evolved in a way that car-oriented transport policies of the past are no longer adequate. As a result, a paradigm shift supporting public transport and active travel modes is becoming increasingly dominant. The objective of this research is to highlight key trends in urban transport infrastructure development and operation needed for the new sustainable mobility policies. On that purpose, a review of contemporary practices concerning network hierarchy, public transport, urban streets, and mobility as a service was carried out, followed by a critical synthesis. A clearly defined transport network hierarchy and a well-designed road network accommodating all modes of transport will continue playing an important role in efficient transport operations, however the importance of the development of public transport infrastructure (physical and digital) and implementing bold schemes (such as free public transport) is even more crucial to bolster city sustainability and livability. To that end, the support of active travel modes through additional infrastructure, the integration of services through MaaS schemes and the prioritization of accessibility over mobility are also seen as prerequisites for the smart city of the future. Finally, the reduction of traffic speeds in urban streets can increase the balance between motorized and active travel modes while increasing safety and sustainability in cities.

Visual Analysis of Land Use Characteristics Around Urban Rail Transit Stations

Urban rail transit stations are the key nodes of urban rail transit network. Identifying and analyzing land use characteristics around urban rail transit stations can significantly contribute to urban rail transportation operation and management. Therefore, a visualization method of land use characteristics around urban rail transit stations based on POI is proposed in this paper. In the proposed method, first, the Voronoi diagram is used to determine coverage of urban rail transit stations and each POI is put in a coverage area based on their physical location. Then, topic-oriented hierarchical POIs of each urban rail transit station are extracted based on skyline idea. Finally, the land use characteristics around an urban rail transit station are visualized based on the extracted hierarchical POIs. We carried out two case studies and a quality evaluation. By using realistic data from Beijing rail transit in order to validate the method proposed in this paper. Results show that our method can clarify various situations of land use of urban rail transit stations and may provide support for the application of transportation model technology.