A multiobjective planning model for intercity train seat allocation

Abstract

This paper presents a multiobjective planning model for generating optimal train seat allocation plans on an intercity rail line serving passengers with many-to-many origin-destination pairs. Two planning objectives of the model are to maximise the operator's total passenger revenue and to minimise the passenger's total discomfort level. For a given set of travel demand, train capacity, and train stopschedules, the model is solved by fuzzy mathematical programming to generate a best-compromise train seat allocation plan. The plan determines how many reserved and non-reserved seats are to be allocated at each origin station for all subsequent destination stations on each train run operated within a specified operating period. An empirical study on the to-be-built Taiwan's high-speed rail system is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. The model can be used for any setting of travel demand and stop-schedules with various train seating capacities.Yu-Hem Chang is at the

Collaborative Optimization of Dynamic Pricing and Seat Allocation for High-Speed Railways: An Empirical Study From China

“…Seat allocation is also considered in high-speed railway revenue management (HSRRM). Chang and Yeh [16] presented a multi-objective planning model for generating optimal train seat allocation. Luo et al [17] developed a multi-train seat inventory control model (MSIC) based on the RM theory, introducing OD pair inventory as a constraint by assigning the number of seats to each train and OD pairs to control the seat inventory capacity among different trains.…”

“…In the HSR dynamic pricing optimization model, the price decision is made with the goal of maximizing the expected revenue of the train, so the objective function of a single train for a specific OD can be written as in objective (12) (15) Substituting Eqs. (1)-( 5) into ( 15) yields (16), as shown at the top of the next page.…”

An optimization model to assign seats in long distance trains to minimize SARS-CoV-2 diffusion

“…Apart from inventory control mechanism the seat assignment process may investigate factors like convenience, comfort, and safety ( Milan, 1993 , Carpenter, 1994 , Hensher, 1998 ). Chang and Yeh (2004) present a multi-objective seat assignment model that addresses passengers’ comfort standards along with revenue maximization. The authors define two main discomforts during travel: (i) inconvenience during boarding and alighting of trains and (ii) over-occupancy in non-reserved coaches.…”

Optimizing Joint Decisions of Dynamic Pricing and Ticket Allocation for High-Speed Railway with Operators’ Risk Preference

“…Ciancimino et al [1] introduced revenue management into railway passenger transport for the first time, and a linear programming model and a probabilistic nonlinear programming model of seat allocation are established. Chang and Yeh [18] took an intercity rail line as research object; a two objective seat allocation model is constructed to maximize enter-prise revenue and minimize passenger discomfort. The fuzzy mathematical programming method is used to solve the problem.…”