Demand-Sensitive Candidate Route Generation Algorithm
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2016
Subject Area
mode - demand responsive transit, planning - network design, planning - route design, planning - travel demand management, planning - service quality, place - rural, ridership - demand
Keywords
transit network design, candidate route generation algorithm, demand-sensitive candidate route generation algorithm
Abstract
Demand satisfaction is a key component that reflects the quality of public transit from the passenger’s perspective, whereas cost minimization is considered a main objective of transit agencies. This trade-off between quality and cost turns transit network design into a multiobjective problem in which the interests of passengers and operators conflict. Transit network design involves the determination of various design elements, such as route alignments and stop locations, which are essential to serve transit demand within a particular area. The design of a transit network typically starts with the generation of a set of potential routes through the use of a candidate route generation algorithm. Existing route generation algorithms find the shortest path between a route’s origin and destination. Demand is aggregated without proper attention given to its pattern and distribution along the generated route. Given that demand actually is scattered along the transit route, the aggregate demand assumption is considered a major drawback of existing route generation algorithms. In an attempt to fill the highlighted gap in current practice, this paper presents a novel demand-sensitive candidate route generation algorithm that can address passenger and operator needs in a simple, objective function that aims to maximize route-level ridership. The proposed approach is well suited to small and rural communities and specialized transit services (e.g., flex route, demand responsive service) in which transit demand is dispersed.
Rights
Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Transportation Research Board, Washington, copyright remains with them.
Recommended Citation
Davanzo, E.R.A., & Idris, A.O. (2016). Demand-Sensitive Candidate Route Generation Algorithm. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2541, pp. 10-17.
