Abstract
Flexroute transit (also referred to as route-deviation) is an innovative public transportation approach in which service is provided at fixed stops on a predetermined schedule, while also providing “on-demand” service to customers between the fixed stops. A significant challenge to the implementation of flexroute transit has been the complexity inherent in the design process. This research explored two of the key design parameters available to a transit planner: service zone size (the area between fixed stops where deviations are permitted), and slack time distribution (the method used to distribute among zones the total “slack” time built into the schedule to allow for deviations). It was found that the objectives of maximizing feasible deviations and minimizing unused slack time are conflicting and highly sensitive to the design parameters. To assist in the design process, the article formulates a multiobjective binary optimization model that can be used to develop an efficient frontier—guiding transit planners as they seek to explore design trade-offs.
DOI
http://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.6.1.5
Recommended Citation
Smith, Brian L., et al.
2003.
A Multiobjective Optimization Model for Flexroute Transit Service Design.
Journal of Public Transportation, 6 (1): 81-100.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.6.1.5
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/jpt/vol6/iss1/5
