Branched Transit Services: An Analysis
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 1
Abstract
A method for optimizing the route structure and schedule for zonal transit services has been extended from one‐dimensional linear cases to two‐dimensional branched networks. The values of zone lengths, subroute lengths, and headways which minimize the sum of operator and user costs are determined by calculus in simple cases and a quasi‐Newton computer algorithm in more complex cases. Algebraic relations are derived which provide useful guidelines for optimal system design and greatly simplify sensitivity analysis. It is shown that user wait costs, user access costs, and vehicle operating costs should be equalized to minimize total costs. A case study is used to demonstrate the applicability of the method. The results confirm theoretical relations and indicate that considerable flexibility exists in adapting transit routes to irregular road networks and demand patterns without substantial cost increases.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Bernstein, R., “Zone Scheduling Methods for Urban Bus Transit Service,” thesis presented to Northwestern University 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.
Clarens, G. C., and Hurdle, V. F., “An Operating Strategy for a Commuter Bus System,” Transportation Science, Feb., 1975, pp. 1–20.
4.
Dais, J., “Minichanges, Stations and Geometry in PRT,” Personal Rapid Transit, Univ. of Minnesota, Apr., 1972, pp. 313–324.
5.
Eisele, D. O., “Application of Zone Theory to a Suburban Rail Transit Network,” Traffic Quarterly, Jan., 1968, pp. 49–67.
6.
Fawaz, M. Y., and Newell, G. F., “Optimal Spacings for a Rectangular Grid Transportation Network,” Transportation Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, Apr., 1976, pp. 111–129.
7.
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, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif., Dec., 1974.
8.
Fletcher, R., “Fortran Subroutines for Minimization by Quasi‐Newton Methods,” Report R7125 AERE, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, England, June, 1972.
9.
Holroyd, E., “The Optimum Bus Service: A Theoretical Model for a Large Urban Area,” Proceedings, Third International Symposium on Theory of Traffic Flow, 1965.
10.
Hurdle, V. F., “Minimum Cost Locations for Parallel Public Transit Lines,” Transportation Science, Nov., 1973.
11.
Jordan, W. C., and Tumquist, M. A., “Zone Scheduling of Bus Routes to Improve Service Reliability,” Transportation Science, Aug., 1979.
12.
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, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif., July, 1975.
13.
Kocur, G., “A Unified Approach to Performance Standards and Fare Policies for Urban Transit Systems,” Report #358, Resource Policy Center, Dartmouth Coll., Apr., 1981.
14.
Lampkin, W., and Saalmans, P., “The Design of Routes, Service Frequencies and Schedules for a Municipal Bus Undertaking: A Case Study,” Operational Research Quarterly, Vol. 18, No. 4, Dec., 1967, pp. 375–397.
15.
Morlok, E. K., and Vandersypen, H. L., “Schedule Planning and Timetable Construction for Commuter Railroad Operations,” Journal of the Transportation Engineering Division, ASCE, Vol. 99, No. TE3, Aug., 1973, pp. 627–636.
16.
Pollan, E. B., “Zone Scheduling for Urban Bus Transit,” thesis presented to Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill., in Aug., 1976.
17.
Tsao, S., “An Analysis of Zonal Transit Service,” thesis presented to the University of Maryland, at College Park, Md., in Dec., 1981, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
18.
Tsao, S., and Schonfeld, P., “Optimization of Zonal Transit Service,” Journal of the Transportation Engineering Division, ASCE, Mar., 1983, pp. 257–272.
19.
Turnquist, M. A., “Zone Scheduling of Urban Bus Routes,” Journal of the Transportation Engineering Division, ASCE, Vol. 105, No. TE1, Jan., 1979, pp. 1–13.
20.
Vuchic, V., and Newell, G., “Rapid Transit Interstation Spacings for Minimum Travel Time,” Transportation Science, Vol. 2, No. 4, Nov., 1968.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jan 1, 1984
Published in print: Jan 1984
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.