Optimization of headways with stop-skipping control: a case study of bus rapid transit system

Bus rapid transit system is designed to provide high-quality and cost-efficient passenger transportation services. In order to achieve this design objective, effective scheduling strategies are required. This research aims at improving the operation efficiency and service quality of a BRT system through integrated optimization of its service headways and stop-skipping strategy. Based on cost analysis for both passengers and operation agencies, an optimization model is established. A genetic algorithms based algorithm and an application-oriented solution method are developed. Beijing BRT Line 2 has been chosen as a case study, and the effectiveness of the optimal headways with stop-skipping services under different demand levels has been analyzed. The results has shown that, at a certain demand level, the proposed operating strategy can be most advantageous for passengers with an accepted increase of operating costs, under which the optimum headway is between 3.5 and 5.5min for stop-skipping services during the morning peak hour depending on the demand with the provision of stop-skipping services. The effectiveness of the optimal headways with stop-skipping services is compared with those of existing headways and optimal headways without stop-skipping services. The results show that operating strategies under the optimal headways with stop-skipping services outperforms the other two operating strategies with respect to total costs and in-vehicle time for passengers. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.