Model for Bus Line Planning in an Intermodal Urban Transport Network

Reducing car usage in modal share is a continual goal, with more and more ambitious targets in European strategies for sustainable urban mobility. Consequently, the efficacy and the efficiency of public transport represents a major theme in urban planning and the development of sustainable solutions for urban mobility needs. Benefits as reducing road traffic congestion, increasing the attractiveness of public transport, reducing operating costs due to economy of scale are arguments for financing rapid public transport projects (e.g., rail, subway, light rail). However, to ensure their performance, rapid public transport projects need to be integrated into the urban public transport system and, in particular, into the urban mobility system. This paper presents a model for bus line planning in an intermodal transport network developed to increase the efficiency of a high-capacity public transport line. A case study is presented to exemplify the bus line network design to feed and to increase the level of transport capacity usage for a new operating subway line in Bucharest.