Evolution of public transit modes in a commuter corridor

Abstract

This paper explores how the selection of public transit modes can be optimized over a planning horizon. This conceptual analysis sacrifices geographic detail in order to better highlight the relations among important factors. First, a set of static models is proposed to identify which type of service, e.g., bus only, rail only, or bus and rail, is the most cost-effective in terms of the average trip cost for given demand. After analyzing essential factors in a long-term planning process, e.g., economies of scale in rail extension and future cost discounting, a dynamic model incorporating such considerations is formulated to optimize the decision over a planning horizon. While analytical solutions can be obtained for some decision variables, the final model is solved with a graphical method by exploring the tradeoffs between the initial and recurring costs. Major findings from this study include: (a) there exists a minimum economic length for a rail line, which can be determined numerically; (b) economies of scale favor large extensions and excess supplied capacity; (c) the rail-only service is largely dominated by the feeder-trunk service, even in the long run.

A novel bi-level programming model for structure sustainability optimization of passenger transport corridor

“…Demand can change in its level, its distribution or both. Also, on the supply side, the scale and type of service in corridor should be modified accordingly [33]. In this part, we will discuss how corridor demand and demand distribution affect transportation modes.…”

Contextual Bandit-Based Sequential Transit Route Design under Demand Uncertainty

“…One strategy for mitigating uncertainty over a time horizon is to consider the buildout over multiple stages and to adapt subsequent stages to prior outcomes (29). Staged development is a natural approach to transit networks, resulting in observable evolutions over time (30)(31)(32)(33). This notion of flexibility leads to a sequential network design problem under uncertainty, a more complex category of general Markov decision processes where decisions are made dynamically over multiple periods with information revealed over time (34,35).…”

Joint optimisation of operation and maintenance policies in an urban ropeway transport systems context

“…Intercity terminals IJQRM are transit points for passengers travelling relatively long distances between cities or countries, where the chief characteristic is long waiting times and a lack of significant traffic fluctuations. At commuter transit centres, the passengers are regular travellers who need advanced accessibility and minimum travel time (Sun et al, 2017); the main feature is the large variation in hourly demand during the day and the need for a quick and convenient transfer between transport modes ( Jones et al, 2000). Interchanges are intermodal facilities established at connection points for different transport modes forming a co-operative urban transport network.…”