Travel time optimization model in public bus transportation by using ITS (case study: buses in district 4 of Tehran Municipality)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 School of Civil Engineering-Iran University of Science and Technology

2 University Science and Research Branch

10.22034/road.2023.387898.2149

Abstract

The development of roads to meet the demand of cities has lost its efficiency in the modern world. Experts have found a solution to traffic problems, managing travel demand and increasing the efficiency of the transportation system. One of the ways to increase the efficiency of the transportation system is to use intelligent transportation systems. In this research, the causes of dissatisfaction of bus passengers are determined by a questionnaire, so that appropriate smart solutions can be selected based on that; Then, information is collected through Tehran Bus Company and field observations, and the current state of the network is calibrated using the information available in the pedestrian simulator software and according to the field observations. Finally, scenarios are defined to reduce delays and, as a result, reduce bus travel time. The proposed scenarios are simulated in the software. In this study, the impact of ITS as a tool to reduce bus travel time has been investigated. By intelligently removing stops at undemanding stations, using variable message signs (VMS) for drivers to increase speed, and eliminating cash fare payment, travel time can be saved by 9.8, 4.4 and 4.1 percent, respectively. The results obtained from this research show that by combining the two scenarios of intelligent elimination of stops at stations with no demand and the use of VMS signs to increase the speed, the bus travel time on the desired line from 317 seconds per kilometer to 261 seconds per kilometer. (17.7 percent) decreases.

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