Feeder Bus Network Optimization with Elastic Demands

In this book, an improved Feeder Bus Network Development Problem (FBNDP) model is presented. The solution approach consists of three main components, which are Initial Solution Generation Procedure (ISGP), Network Features Determination Procedure (NFDP), and Solution Search Procedure (SSP). The ISGP is to generate an initial feasible route set as a starting search point for SSP. The ISGP is called during the SSP process at every iteration to determine the stop locations, mode split and service frequencies of bus routes based on a given route set. Tabu Search (TS) is used as a metaheuristic method in SSP to search superior solution according to a given feasible solution. The inputs of the new FBNDP model are street network, demands from origins to the suburban rail station, and related parameters. The outputs are a feeder bus network system, and service frequencies for each route. The advantage of this proposed model over previous ones is the consideration of variable demand in much more sophisticated networks.