Fluctuating demand for public transport (PT) is one of the main reasons for unreliable PT service, and subsequent passenger frustration at being left behind at PT stops. A novel way to solve this situation is to optimally use autonomous PT vehicles with coupling and decoupling (C&D) of vehicle units to accommodate the fluctuating PT demand and reliability issues. In this way, vehicle size is added as a variable of the problem. This work proposes a new class of C&D tactics in the process of solving the problems of PT route timetabling subject to passenger demand. Resolving the optimisation problem involves determining the C&D arrangement at stops/stations to accommodate the C&D options and departure times. The validation of the model is performed by a small example and a real case study with a bilevel heuristic algorithm that manages to completely (100%) eliminate left-behind passengers using practical, even-headway, and even-load timetables.
Optimal public transport timetabling with autonomous-vehicle units using coupling and decoupling tactics
TRANSPORTMETRICA A: TRANSPORT SCIENCE
Y. WANG ET AL.
2025-01-02
51 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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