Real-time Optimal Bus Scheduling for a City Using A DTR Model

Timetabling and vehicle scheduling is the basis of security and efficiency for various bus enterprises. It is necessary to take into account the passenger travel demand to meet both the social and economic benefits for these bus enterprises. A Demand- and Travel time Responsive (DTR) model has been applied to actualize a timetable for each bus stop on the basis of optimal bus frequency. This paper presents a model to optimize the bus scheduling by taking into consideration of both bus stop and route segments of the city in an integrated manner. In this study different real time data event parameters, such as bus stop departures and arrivals for buses operating on a line-based time-table and bus traffic costs have been applied to optimize the bus scheduling process. A bus headway time-table is also being developed. The proposed model has been verified by taking a case study of Jaipur city. The relevant data have been collected from Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL). The sensitivity analysis for various parameters and assumption used in proposed model has been applied to assess the reliability of the optimal solution.The DTR model for an optimal bus scheduling developed herein is based on a holistic, integrated, systems-oriented approach, which clearly demonstrates the overall usage of the model. The concept of DTR model is to determine the optimal cost at which total cumulative cost and total cumulative profit become equal on the basis of optimal service frequency. The optimal total traffic cost line demarcates the boundary representing the stops with excessive investment and stops with profits. It will essentially enable decision makers and policy makers to evaluate appropriate strategies for best practices to be adopted for serving passengers so that efficient and optimum transportation facilities can be implemented.