Walk modelling when designing small bus transit networks

Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Models for the design of public bus transit networks are usually based on the historically observed origin-demand travel patterns of potential passengers. The option of a passenger choosing to walk is, however, not usually incorporated into the design models for such networks. We argue that the absence of this model feature might lead to significant sub-optimality, especially in the design of small public bus transit networks. A novel approach to including this feature in the bus frequency setting aspect of public bus transit network design models is demonstrated in this paper, in which passenger transit modal choices are modelled on the basis of an existing optimal strategy transit assignment model. The newly proposed bi-objective route design and frequency setting models are applied to a realistic case study involving the establishment of a public bus transit system for students on a university campus; and this model implementation is used to gain insight into passenger route choice behaviour, based on individual preferences between walking or using buses. It is shown in the context of this case study that including the option of a passenger walking in the design models for public bus transit networks can affect the efficacy of the final network, especially if the network is small.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Modelle vir die ontwerp van openbare busvervoernetwerke word gewoonlik gebaseer op histories waargenome reispatrone van potensiële passasiers. Die opsie dat ʼn passasier mag kies om te loop word egter gewoonlik nie in die ontwerpmodelle van sulke netwerke geïnkorporeer nie. Ons voer aan dat die afwesigheid van hierdie modelaspek kan lei tot beduidende sub- optimaliteit in die ontwerp van veral klein openbare busvervoernetwerke. ʼn Nuwe benadering tot die insluiting van hierdie aspek in roete-ontwerp en frekwensie-bepalingsmodelle vir openbare busvervoernetwerke word in hierdie artikel gedemonstreer, waarin modale keuses vir passasiersvervoer berus op ʼn bestaande optimale strategie toewysingsmodel. Die nuut- voorgestelde tweedoelige roete-ontwerp en frekwensie-bepalingsmodelle word in ʼn realistiese gevallestudie toegepas in die ontwerp van ʼn openbare busvervoernetwerk vir studente op ʼn universiteitskampus; en hierdie model implementasie word gebruik om insig te verkry in die roete-gedrag van passasiers, gebaseer op individuele voorkeure tussen loop of die gebruikmaking van busse. Daar word in die konteks van hierdie gevallestudie getoon dat die insluiting van die opsie dat ʼn passasier mag kies om te loop in modelle vir die ontwerp van openbare busvervoernetwerke die doeltreffendheid van die finale netwerke noemenswaardig kan beïnvloed, veral as die netwerk klein is.
Description
CITATION: Husselmann, G., Van Vuuren, J. & Andersen, S. J. 2021. Walk modelling when designing small bus transit networks. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 32(4):83-98, doi:10.7166/32-4-2483.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Transit networks, Transit buses, Bus terminals, Buses -- Local transit, Bus stops -- Design
Citation
Husselmann, G., Van Vuuren, J. & Andersen, S. J. 2021. Walk modelling when designing small bus transit networks. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 32(4):83-98, doi:10.7166/32-4-2483