Transit Network Frequency Setting With Multi-Agent Simulation to Capture Activity-Based Mode Substitution

We propose a bilevel transit network frequency setting problem in which the upper level consists of analytical route cost functions and the lower level is an activity-based market equilibrium derived using MATSim-NYC. The use of MATSim in the lower-level problem incorporates sensitivity of the design process to competition from other modes, including ride-hail, and can support large-scale optimization. The proposed method is applied to the existing Brooklyn bus network, which includes 78 bus routes, 650,000 passengers per day, 550 route-km, and 4,696 bus stops. MATSim-NYC modeling of the existing bus network has a ridership-weighted average error per route of 21%. The proposed algorithm is applied to a benchmark network and confirms their predicted 20% growth in ridership using their benchmark design. Applying our proposed algorithm to their network with 78 routes and 24 periods, we have a problem with 3,744 decision variables. The algorithm converged within 10 iterations to a delta of 0.064%. Compared with the existing scenario, we increased ridership by 20% and reduced operating cost by 25%. We improved the farebox recovery ratio from the existing 0.22 to 0.35, 0.06 more than the benchmark design. Analysis of mode substitution effects suggest that 2.5% of trips would be drawn from ride-hail while 74% would come from driving.

Review of the Estimation Methods of Energy Consumption for Battery Electric Buses

In the transportation sector, electric battery bus (EBB) deployment is considered to be a potential solution to reduce global warming because no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are directly produced by EBBs. In addition to the required charging infrastructure, estimating the energy consumption of buses has become a crucial precondition for the deployment and planning of electric bus fleets. Policy and decision-makers may not have the specific tools needed to estimate the energy consumption of a particular bus network. Therefore, many state-of-the-art studies have proposed models to determine the energy demand of electric buses. However, these studies have not critically reviewed, classified and discussed the challenges of the approaches that are applied to estimate EBBs’ energy demands. Thus, this manuscript provides a detailed review of the forecasting models used to estimate the energy consumption of EBBs. Furthermore, this work fills the gap by classifying the models for estimating EBBs’ energy consumption into small-town depot and big-city depot networks. In brief, this review explains and discusses the models and formulations of networks associated with well-to-wheel (WTW) assessment, which can determine the total energy demand of a bus network. This work also reviews a survey of the most recent optimization methods that could be applied to achieve the optimal pattern parameters of EBB fleet systems, such as the bus battery capacity, charger rated power and the total number of installed chargers in the charging station. This paper highlights the issues and challenges, such as the impact of external factors, replicating real-world data, big data analytics, validity index, and bus routes’ topography, with recommendations on each issue. Also, the paper proposes a generic framework based on optimization algorithms, namely, artificial neural network (ANN) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), which will be significant for future development in implementing new energy consumption estimation approaches. Finally, the main findings of this manuscript further our understanding of the determinants that contribute to managing the energy demand of EBBs networks.

A Reduced Electrically-Equivalent Model of the IEEE European Low Voltage Test Feeder

<div>This letter presents a reduced, electrically equivalent model of the IEEE European Low Voltage Test Feeder for use in distribution network studies. The original test feeder is made up of 906 buses, of which only 55 have loads connected. This work proposes an equivalent 116 bus network which accurately represents all of the characteristics of the original test feeder, but significantly reduces the computational effort required when applied in a range of distribution system applications. The model reduction technique applied is explained in detail, and the performance of the modified network is tested under a wide range of network loading conditions. The analysis in this letter demonstrates that the modified 116 bus network produces identical results with 80% less computation time when compared to the original 906 bus network. The full data set for the modified network is provided on IEEE Dataport. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.21227/0d2n-j565.</div>

A Reduced Electrically-Equivalent Model of the IEEE European Low Voltage Test Feeder

<div>This letter presents a reduced, electrically equivalent model of the IEEE European Low Voltage Test Feeder for use in distribution network studies. The original test feeder is made up of 906 buses, of which only 55 have loads connected. This work proposes an equivalent 116 bus network which accurately represents all of the characteristics of the original test feeder, but significantly reduces the computational effort required when applied in a range of distribution system applications. The model reduction technique applied is explained in detail, and the performance of the modified network is tested under a wide range of network loading conditions. The analysis in this letter demonstrates that the modified 116 bus network produces identical results with 80% less computation time when compared to the original 906 bus network. The full data set for the modified network is provided on IEEE Dataport. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.21227/0d2n-j565.</div>

How do contract types and incentives influence driver behavior?−An analysis of the Kigali bus network

The rapidly growing city of Kigali has a bus network that is undergoing increased development as underlined in its Transport Master Plan. Two schemes of bus driver remuneration coexist in the city: One constitutes a hybrid salary and commission system, while the other pays a fixed monthly salary. This paper examines the effect of these differing compensation schemes on driver behavior in Kigali using survey data from 2019. The analysis applies linear models incorporating various aspects of driver behavior in a principal-agent framework. The results indicate that the performance-based compensation scheme is associated with higher per-trip passenger fluctuation and faster driving (possibly due to drivers aiming to accrue a higher income) compared to the fixed-wage system. Policy implications comprise the inclusion of further criteria in incentive contracts to internalize potential negative externalities on society, e.g., to hinder the endangerment of passenger safety by appropriately incentivizing drivers. In conclusion, bus drivers who are compensated by performance are more likely to alter their behavior, responding to the incentive scheme through several channels.

Analysis of Spatial-Temporal Characteristics of Operations in Public Transport Networks Based on Multisource Data

Operational efficiency and stability are two critical aspects to measure bus systems. Influenced by many stochastic factors, buses always suffer from delay and bunching. Traditional studies focus on a single route and lack research on the systematic evaluation of bus network. In this paper, we propose a data-driven framework to analyze the efficiency and stability based on small granularity GPS trajectory data from the perspective of entire bus network. The IC card data and route data are used to extract the boarding passenger number and topological structure, respectively. The results show that the average headway of stations follows a lognormal distribution. Moreover, the distribution of arrival efficiency of stations is inhomogeneous and a small number of stations have large values. In addition, the relationships among average headway of stations, boarding passenger number, bus number, and complex network indicators are revealed. It is found that the average headway of station is negatively correlated with other indicators, which implies that complex network connections and more passenger flows could weaken the efficiency of bus operations. This paper provides a way to evaluate the operational performance of bus networks and could give help for monitoring and optimizing the daily operation of bus systems.