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• Construct a unified model for integrating timetable, bus formation and vehicle scheduling problems. • Schedule autonomous modular vehicles (AMVs) in both directions simultaneously. • Design a decomposition-based iterative solution framework based on Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) algorithm to solve the origin model efficiently. • Solve the subproblem efficiently with a customized time-dependent shortest path algorithm. • Introduce AMVs into public transport systems can reduce overall system costs and increase vehicle utilization. This paper presents a joint optimization of the timetable, bus formation, and vehicle scheduling in a flexible public transport (PT) system that utilizes autonomous modular vehicles (AMVs). In this system, AMVs have the capability to detach or join with each other at intermediate stops along the route to dynamically adjust the bus formation (capacity). To increase vehicle utilization, a flexible scheduling strategy is proposed that allows AMVs to detach from one modular bus and join another modular bus in either direction of a bidirectional line. In particular, the penalty cost for each detachment or joining operation, as well as the limited number of available AMVs is explicitly considered. We formulate a unified model for the integrated optimization of the modular bus service (timetable and bus formation) and vehicle scheduling by introducing two types of decision variables. The objective is to minimize overall system costs, including passenger waiting time cost, operational costs, and detachment/joining penalty costs. The two types of decision variables are coupled by a vehicle resource consistency constraint, ensuring the conformity of the modular bus service and vehicle scheduling decisions. To tackle the complexity of our model, the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) is employed to decompose it into two subproblems, which can be efficiently solved using a customized forward dynamic programming algorithm and a commercial solver. The model is validated using illustrative examples and a real-world instance from the Beijing Public Transport system, and it is compared with two benchmark models. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of the ADMM-based solution framework for solving the integrated optimization model. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the use of AMVs in PT systems can lead to reduced overall system costs and increased vehicle utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flexible lane usage as on-street parking spaces in connected and automated environments. • Time-dependent design of optimal locations, capacities and opening durations of on-street parking lots. • Balancing the reduction of vehicle miles traveled and the compromise of network mobility. • 10%–27% reduction of total vehicle miles traveled with numerical experiments. Parking remains a serious difficulty in metropolitan transport mainly because of the supply shortage in downtown areas. The parking experience will be improved with the support of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies, enabled by remote parking functionality. Nevertheless, remote parking of CAVs not only results in additional surface traffic but also increases the total vehicle miles traveled (VMT). On the other hand, it is possible to manage the overall traffic by a centralized system with the assistance of CAV technology, which brings the potential for using road resources more flexibly. Inspired by the above ideas, this paper investigates a novel scheme to transfer some lanes to provide on-street parking spaces for CAVs within a necessary period to reduce "cruise-for-parking" travel; as such transfer compromises road capacity, a methodological framework is required to optimally plan the scheme for maximizing certain social goals. We formulate the on-street planning problem as a multi-period mixed-integer linear program with inter-period constraints, which determines the locations and opening durations of on-street parking lots, as well as the assignment of all parking demands across the network. Approximate approaches are adopted to solve the problem for large-scale instances. Numerical experiments are conducted on a real-world network in Wangjing District, Beijing. The results indicate that appropriate time-dependent planning of on-street parking can reduce the total VMT by 10%–27% under various demand levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]