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Modular transit: Using autonomy and modularity to improve performance in public transportation

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  • Zhang, Zhenhao
  • Tafreshian, Amirmahdi
  • Masoud, Neda

Abstract

In this paper we investigate a new form of automated public transportation, named ‘modular transit’, configured to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional bus, including the first- and last-mile problem, low occupancy, and low levels of comfort, accessibility, and flexibility. The modular transit system consists of a set of trailer modules who can travel locally to serve demand and connect travelers to main modules for long-distance trips. We mathematically model this system on a time-expanded network, thereby reducing the size of the optimization problem and rendering the problem amenable to being solved with commercial optimization engines. We conduct extensive numerical experiments and sensitivity analyses to study the performance of modular buses under various configurations. Finally, we compare the modular transit service with a door-to-door shuttle service as benchmark to showcase the benefits of modular transit.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Zhenhao & Tafreshian, Amirmahdi & Masoud, Neda, 2020. "Modular transit: Using autonomy and modularity to improve performance in public transportation," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:141:y:2020:i:c:s1366554520306840
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2020.102033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zou, Kaijie & Zhang, Ke & Li, Meng, 2024. "Operational design for modular electrified transit in corridor areas," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    3. Zhang, Jiyu & Ge, Ying-En & Tang, Chunyan & Zhong, Meisu, 2024. "Optimising modular-autonomous-vehicle transit service employing coupling–decoupling operations plus skip-stop strategy," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    4. Wu, Jiaming & Kulcsár, Balázs & Selpi, & Qu, Xiaobo, 2021. "A modular, adaptive, and autonomous transit system (MAATS): A in-motion transfer strategy and performance evaluation in urban grid transit networks," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 81-98.
    5. Zheng, Hankun & Sun, Huijun & Kang, Liujiang & Dai, Peiling & Wu, Jianjun, 2023. "Multi-route coordination for bus systems in response to road disruptions," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    6. Hatzenbühler, Jonas & Jenelius, Erik & Gidófalvi, Gyözö & Cats, Oded, 2023. "Modular vehicle routing for combined passenger and freight transport," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    7. Wu, Pei-Yang & Guo, Ren-Yong & Lin, Zhiyuan & Liu, Ronghui & Xu, Pu, 2024. "Improving passenger travel efficiency through a dynamic autonomous non-stop rail transit system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    8. Giménez-Palacios, Iván & Parreño, Francisco & Álvarez-Valdés, Ramón & Paquay, Célia & Oliveira, Beatriz Brito & Carravilla, Maria Antónia & Oliveira, José Fernando, 2022. "First-mile logistics parcel pickup: Vehicle routing with packing constraints under disruption," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    9. Zhang, Ruolin & Masoud, Neda, 2021. "A distributed algorithm for operating large-scale ridesourcing systems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    10. Liu, Xiaohan & Qu, Xiaobo & Ma, Xiaolei, 2021. "Improving flex-route transit services with modular autonomous vehicles," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    11. Kuo, Yong-Hong & Leung, Janny M.Y. & Yan, Yimo, 2023. "Public transport for smart cities: Recent innovations and future challenges," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 306(3), pages 1001-1026.
    12. Tafreshian, Amirmahdi & Abdolmaleki, Mojtaba & Masoud, Neda & Wang, Huizhu, 2021. "Proactive shuttle dispatching in large-scale dynamic dial-a-ride systems," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 227-259.

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