TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1983

Optimization of Zonal Transit Service

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 109, Issue 2

Abstract

A method for optimizing the route structure and scheduling for zonal transit service is developed. It employs calculus or a quasi‐Newton algorithm to minimize a total cost function in which the zonal lengths and headways are the decision variables. Numerical solutions as well as mathematical relations providing general system design guidelines are obtained. A case study demonstrating the method shows that zonal service could reduce total cost by nearly 50%. It is also shown that many near optimal solutions allow considerable flexibility in fitting the route structure to the detailed characteristics of road networks.

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References

1.
Bernstein, R., “Zone Scheduling Methods for Urban Bus Transit Service,” thesis presented to Northwestern Univ., at Evanston, Ill., in Aug., 1978, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
2.
Black, A., “A Method for Determining the Optimal Division of Express and Local Rail Transit Service,” HRB Bulletin 347, Highway Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1962.
3.
Eisele, D. O., “Application of Zone Theory to a Suburban Rail Transit Network,” Traffic Quarterly, Jan., 1968, pp. 49–67.
4.
Fisher, P., and Viton, P., “The Full Costs of Urban Transport—Part I: Economic Efficiency in Bus Operations; Preliminary Intermodal Cost Comparisons and Policy Implications,” Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, Calif., Dec., 1974.
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Fletcher, R., “Fortran Subroutines for Minimization by Quasi‐Newton Methods,” Report R7125 AERE, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, England, June, 1972.
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Jordan, W. C., and Turnquist, M. A., “Zone Scheduling of Bus Routes to Improve Service Reliability,” Transportation Science, Aug., 1979.
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Keeler, T. E., and Small, K. A., “The Full Costs of Urban Transport—Part III: Automobile Costs and Final Intermodal Cost Comparisons,” Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, Calif., July, 1975.
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Morlok, E. K., and Vandersypen, H. L., “Schedule Planning and Timetable Construction for Commuter Railroad Operations,” Transportation Engineering Journal of ASCE, Vol. 99, No. TE3, Aug., 1973, pp. 627–636.
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Pollan, E. B., “Zone Scheduling for Urban Bus Transit,” thesis presented to the Northwestern University, Aug., 1976.
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Tsao, S., “An Analysis of Zonal Transit Service,” Ph.D. Dissertation, Univ. of Maryland, at College Park, Md., in Dec., 1981, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
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Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 109Issue 2March 1983
Pages: 257 - 272

History

Published online: Mar 1, 1983
Published in print: Mar 1983

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Authors

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Shou‐min Tsao
Lect., National Taiwan Univ., Taipei, Republic of China
Paul Schonfeld, A. M. ASCE
Asst. Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Md.

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