Monash University, Institute of Transport Studies: World Transit Research (WTR)
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11112 research outputs found
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On the impact of co-optimizing station locations, trip assignment, and charging schedules for electric buses
No full textAs many public transportation systems around the world transition to electric buses, the planning and operation of fleets can be improved via tailored decision-support tools. In this work, we study the impact of jointly locating charging facilities, assigning electric buses to trips, and determining when and where to charge the buses. We propose a mixed integer linear program that co-optimizes planning and operational decisions jointly and an iterated local search heuristic to solve large-scale instances. Herein, we use a concurrent scheduler algorithm to generate an initial feasible solution, which serves as a starting point for our iterated local search algorithm. In the sequential case, we first optimize trip assignments and charging locations. Charging schedules are then determined after fixing the optimal decisions from the first level. The joint model, on the other hand, integrates charge scheduling within the local search procedure. The solution quality of the joint and sequential iterated local search models are compared for multiple real-world bus transit networks. Our results demonstrate that joint models can help further improve operating costs by 14.1% and lower total costs by about 4.1% on average compared with sequential models. In addition, energy consumption costs and contracted power capacity costs have been reduced significantly due to our integrated planning approach
The associations of built environments with public bike use for metro commuters
No full textThis research addressed two questions: (1) what are the associations of built environments with public bike use, and (2) how different are the associations among sociodemographic groups? The study sampled commuters entering or leaving the metro stations in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. Their mode choices of connecting trips between trip origins/destinations and metro stations were analyzed using logit and latent class models. Empirical evidence revealed that attributes of density, diversity, distance to transit, and distribution of rental stations result in more significant effects on public bike use than attributes of design and destination accessibility in general. The three segments of respondents that indicated partially dissimilar associations of built environments with public bike use were identified. The empirical results contributed new evidence to the study issues and benefited the development of customized strategies based on travelers’ sociodemographic attributes and built environments for promoting public bike use
Exploring the relationship of transport network and land use patterns: an approach through weighted centrality assessment
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between transport networks and land use patterns in the Delhi Metropolitan Area by employing a weighted centrality assessment approach. Recognizing the limitations of traditional monocentric and accessibility-based urban models, this study introduces a multimodal perspective that integrates both road and rail systems. Land use patterns are scrutinized in terms of spatial distribution of Residential, commercial, Public semipublic (PSP)/institutional, industrial and other landuse. Weighted centrality measures are assessed in terms of closeness, betweenness, and straightness, applied within a weighted framework to reflect the multimodal transport characteristics. This study introduces a path evaluation function (PEF) that incorporates transport network capacity and travel time and is calibrated with a turning parameter (α). Through multinomial logistic regression, we explore the complex relationship between weighted centrality of transport network and land use patterns. Results reveal a significant relationship, underscoring that higher centrality tends to favor commercial and public-semi-public/institutional uses, whereas centrality at lower spectrum favors the development of residential areas. This research not only advances the theoretical understanding of urban planning but also offers practical insights for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of multimodal transport considerations in urban development
Assessing the relationship between the sustainability of urban form and transport in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textIntegrated transport and land-use planning is recognised as important in creating an urban environment that achieves broader social, economic and environmental outcomes. While international studies have demonstrated these benefits, the necessary pre-conditions required to achieve them in Aotearoa New Zealand are not well understood. This research aims to address this knowledge gap and enhance the industry’s understanding of the relationship between the sustainability of urban form and transport in New Zealand. Research methods used include: • a literature review of the impacts of urban form on transport outcomes • eight targeted interviews with key stakeholders and practitioners involved in integrated transport and land-use planning in New Zealand • 135 online FranklyAI conversations with the general public about their housing and transport preferences • exploring a methodology and concept design for a tool that can quantify the relationship between transport emissions and regional spatial plans/changes in urban form.
We found that integrated transport and land-use planning is likely to have the greatest impact on transport emissions reductions and other sustainable transport outcomes in New Zealand when combined with comprehensive public transport systems and attractive active mode environments to reduce vehicle kilometres travelled. We also identified the importance of a coordinated, systems and place-based approach to integrated transport and land-use planning in New Zealand that acknowledges the unique characteristics and challenges of places. The identified pre-conditions for successful transport and land-use integration in New Zealand relate to four interconnected themes: • Transport infrastructure, services, attitudes and preferences. • Housing market, attitudes and preferences. • Social infrastructure and local amenities. • Legislation, regulations, funding and operations.
These pre-conditions are indicative and require further investigation and testing. Based on the findings of this research, we made a number of high-level recommendations on next steps for transport agencies (NZTA and local government planners and funders) to help achieve the pre-conditions required for successful integrated planning of transport and urban form in New Zealand. These are organised under four key action areas intended to help guide and inspire transport agencies to define and develop their role in integrated transport and land-use planning – influence, leadership, collaboration and facilitation. We acknowledge that NZTA and local government do not have the levers to directly influence a lot of the pre-conditions identified in this research. However, to create change, they can indirectly influence a lot of the pre-conditions through the levers of advocacy, leadership and working with other public sector agencies such as Kāinga Ora and neighbouring local authorities. NZTA and local government can also seek to improve the existing systems and frameworks that they work within and investigate the identified pre-conditions further through additional research
Constructing a routable multimodal, multi-cost, time-dependent network model with all emerging mobility options: Methodology and case studies
No full textCities aiming to improve their transportation networks are integrating emerging mobility options at a rapid pace. These modes provide commuters with greater flexibility to construct more convenient trips and reach a larger set of essential service destinations. A few open-source tools allow planners to conduct multimodal routing analysis in time-dependent networks, but they do not sufficiently capture the full set of travel mode combinations and disutility factors perceived by individual travelers. To this end, we introduce NOMAD: Network Optimization for Multimodal Accessibility Decision-making. NOMAD integrates the personal vehicle, transportation network company, carshare, public transit, personal bike, bikeshare, scooter, walking, and feeder micro-transit modes into a unified routable network model. A generalized travel cost function incorporates the following disutility factors: monetary cost, day-to-day mean travel time, (un)reliability as represented by day-to-day 95th percentile travel time, crash risk, and physical discomfort. The proposed open-source tool can be used to create multimodal travel cost matrices, which may immediately serve as an input for accessibility analysis and other policy decisions related to emerging mobility options. This paper develops the network model that forms the basis of NOMAD and demonstrates four use cases in Pittsburgh, PA
A simulation-based optimization approach for the recharging scheduling problem of electric buses
No full textThis study proposes a simulation-based optimization approach to address the recharging scheduling problem of electric buses to minimize charging waiting time. Poor scheduling could lead to longer waiting times and potentially affect operation schedules regarding time and service quality. This study addresses a simulation-based optimization framework to evaluate various performance metrics during electric bus service, including waiting times, charging costs, and the utilization of charging piles. In this study, we propose a hybrid approach, simplified swarm optimization (SSO), which is an evolutionary algorithm with a backtracking (BT) mechanism and dynamic charging in a simulation framework. Based on the dynamic charging, SSO is used to determine the additional charging in terms of battery capacities, and a BT mechanism is employed to enhance algorithm efficiency and achieve breakthroughs in solution quality. A case study from Taiwan with 43 generated datasets was conducted in deterministic and stochastic situations to compare the effectiveness and efficiency among three charging rules (i.e., full charging rule, flexible charging rule, dynamic charging rule) and two algorithms (i.e., particle swarm optimization and SSO) The results indicate the superior performance in all scenarios by using a statistical test, which offers effective decision support for bus operators’ electric bus recharging scheduling
Telework and the day-to-day variability of travel behaviour: The specificities of Fridays
No full textThis study investigates the uniqueness of Fridays for telework in relation to commuting and non-work travel patterns. Utilizing Bayesian analysis on UK National Travel Survey data (2015–2019), it explores differences in trip frequency, distance, time, and CO2 emissions across days, particularly focusing on teleworkers versus other workers. The findings highlight Fridays as a distinct day for teleworkers, marked by a 20 % reduction in commuting and increased non-work trips, particularly during afternoons and evenings, compared to other weekdays and non-teleworkers. Key factors influencing these patterns include commuting mode, particularly private car use, and rural residency. The study concludes by considering telework’s potential in reducing travelrelated CO2 emissions and its impact on public transport and local economies, especially post-COVID-19
Unraveling the diversity in transit-oriented development
No full textTransit-oriented development (TOD) is widely recognized for its potential to create high-density, mixed-use, and pedestrian-friendly environments. It aims to reduce reliance on cars, promote non-motorized travel, and advocate the utilization of various transportation modes. Due to these expected benefits, TOD has gained popularity and widespread adoption across cities. However, not all transit areas are developed according to TOD principles. Therefore, this study aims to identify different types of TOD in the United States and examine travel behavior of residents within each type. By capturing the diverse conditions of 4,400 existing transit station areas across the United States, this study reveals four TOD types: business district, town center, neighborhood, and suburban station areas. Using data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, this study identifies variations in residents’ travel behavior, encompassing mode share and multimodality across these TOD types. The findings highlight the need for tailored strategies in specific contexts and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of TODs. Furthermore, they offer valuable insights into effective design and implementation strategies for promoting sustainable and multimodal travel behavior within TODs
Design of mixed fixed-flexible bus public transport networks by tracking the paths of on-demand vehicles
No full textOn-demand ridepooling (ODRP) vehicles follow routes that are fully flexible. However, when the system does not provide door-to-door service and users can be asked to walk, their paths tend to concentrate, particularly along main streets that connect highly demanded areas of the city. These frequently travelled segments are hence useful to multiple passengers, which can be used as an indicator that it would be efficient to allocate a fixed public transport line there.
In this paper, we formalise this idea and propose a novel method to design a public transport network, where bus fixed lines are combined with ODRP. Given a network and a transport demand, we first simulate how to serve it using only ODRP with walking. For this, we employ a state-of-the-art assignment algorithm, and take as output the resulting users’ paths. These paths are then processed by a tailored algorithm to create fixed lines where the paths accumulate the most. Users who do not have an available fixed line (i.e., those whose paths were barely shared) are served by ODRP in the mixed system. Simulations using real-life data from Utrecht, The Netherlands, and the Sunshine Coast, Australia, reveal the merits of our method compared to several benchmarks. Crucially, our method builds a small number of fixed lines while still serving the majority of the demand through them.
This study contributes not only to the design of public transport networks, but also to the understanding of the patterns that naturally appear in intrinsically flexible mobility systems
A seamless bus network without external transfers using autonomous modular vehicles
No full textRecently, autonomous modular vehicles (AMVs) capable of enabling in-motion transfer (IMT), i.e. passengers moving between vehicles while the vehicles are traveling, have been developed. IMT allows new paradigms for public transport operations that can enhance the speed, flexibility, and reliability of the system. We leverage IMT technology to propose the first network-wide seamless, stop-less bus service concept. We recently introduced the concept of a Stop-Less Autonomous Modular (SLAM) bus service, which eliminates the need for passengers to stop at each bus stop while traveling along a bus line. The current work extends this paradigm to the network level by developing a bus service framework in which multiple SLAM bus lines operating on main arterials interact by exchanging pods among each other to provide passengers with a travel experience that not only eliminates most extra passenger stops within a single line, but also eliminates external transfers, i.e. it removes the need to disembark at a bus stop to change buses when transferring from one bus line to another. The result is a high-speed service that provides a completely seamless journey from the passenger’s origin stop to destination stop anywhere in the coverage area, with integrated (i.e. internal) transfers that take place inside the vehicles themselves while they are in-motion. Our results show that while the proposed service has more stringent operating requirements than a comparable conventional bus service, it provides significantly superior performance, reducing passengers’ travel cost by up to 35% under realistic system settings