An investigation of timed transfer coordination using event-based multi agent simulation

Automatic fare collection data; Automatic vehicle location; Multi-agent simulation; Transfer coordination; Transit; Sensitivity analysis; Transportation; Vehicles; Automatic vehicle locations; Fare collections; Multi agent simulation; Multi agent systems; Australia; Queensland

Abstract :

[en] While transfers extend transit service coverage by omnidirectional connections, poorly coordinated transfers significantly increase passenger waiting time, especially in case of missed connections. This paper proposes a simulation approach to investigate the feasibilities of different timed transfer strategies in both schedule planning and operational control. In particular, an Event-Based Multi-Agent Simulation (EMAS) model is proposed, that captures the interactions between the transit vehicles, its passengers and the (urban) environment by considering the transit vehicles and passengers as separate classes of agents which interact in a dynamic system. The model is validated by using observed Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) data from two routes with transfers in South East Queensland, Australia. EMAS is then used to evaluate different timed transfer strategies for both schedule planning and operational control. The analysis on timed transfers in schedule planning provides valuable insights on the probability of missing a transfer and extra waiting time for transfer. Six different strategies for timed transfers in operational control are thoroughly tested, including an elaborate sensitivity analysis of the effectiveness of the strategies for different levels of transferring demand and schedule headways. This paper assists transit operators to exploit observed AVL and AFC data to augment the transfer coordination quality. © 2017

Disciplines :

Civil engineering
Special economic topics (health, labor, transportation...)

Author, co-author :

Kieu, L. M.; Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Bhaskar, A.; Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Cools, Mario ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Transports et mobilité

Chung, E.; Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Language :

English

Title :

An investigation of timed transfer coordination using event-based multi agent simulation

Publication date :

2017

Journal title :

Transportation Research. Part C, Emerging Technologies

ISSN :

0968-090X

eISSN :

1879-2359

Publisher :

Elsevier Ltd

Volume :

Pages :

363-378

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

QUT - Queensland University of Technology

Funding text :

This research is supported by Queensland University of Technology, Australia. The AFC data used in this study was provided by Translink, the transit authority of South East Queensland, Australia. The conclusions in this paper reflect the understandings of the authors, who are responsible for the accuracy of the data.

Available on ORBi :

since 02 July 2019

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