Non-branching hybrid transit network design under heterogeneous demand

Wu, Zhuoran

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/50496 Copy

Description

Title

Non-branching hybrid transit network design under heterogeneous demand

Author(s)

Wu, Zhuoran

Issue Date

2014-09-16

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Ouyang, Yanfeng

Department of Study

Civil & Environmental Eng

Discipline

Civil Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• transit network design
• non-branching hybrid structure
• optimization model
• heterogeneous trip demand

Abstract

Daganzo (2010) proposed a hybrid structure combining grid scheme in the center and hub-spoke scheme in the periphery to design a competitive transit network on a square region. A nonlinear continuous optimization model is built upon this structure to minimize total transit system cost. One of this model’s main limitations is the uniform trip demand assumption, which constrains its applicability in real-world. Another pitfall is that lines branch in peripheral region, resulting in expanded facilities and longer waiting time for transit services. To bridge these gaps, a hybrid transit network layout with non-branching routes is proposed. To capture spatial heterogeneity of trip demand, method of deriving zone-to-zone trip demands from continuous demand density function is borrowed from Smith (2014). To obtain optimal network layout and vehicle dispatching frequencies, a mathematical model that minimizes transit system cost based on various zone-to-zone demands is formulated. By allowing different stop spacing in the central and peripheral regions, more flexibility is given to the structure in obtaining the solutions. A series of scenarios under heterogeneous demand distribution in various transit mode choices and demand levels are designed to test impacts of these critical factors on optimal solutions. Results show that BRT is the most competitive mode while metro’s performance increases largely when demand is higher. In addition, as trip rate increases, system cost per passenger will be reduced. Compared with the branching hybrid model (Smith, 2014), the proposed model in this thesis shows better performance in cost saving. Several interesting future research topics are inspired by the outcomes of this thesis, including extensions to network structures, model extensions as well as multimodal hierarchical transit network design.

Graduation Semester

2014-08

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50496

Copyright and License Information

copyright 2014 Zhuoran Wu

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