ROLE OF COMPUTER MODELS IN TRANSIT SERVICE ALLOCATION DECISIONS

This report describes the service allocation process for fixed route bus systems and evaluates the effectiveness of an optimization model designed to produce the most efficient allocation across a defined set of routes. In a trial application of the model, the resulting service allocation was compared with the actual allocation in a corridor of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority system. It was concluded that while the optimization model provided some insight into appropriate shifts of resources between routes and time periods, it is unrealistic to expect the planner to accept the model recommendations as a whole. Consequently, a model which presents simply the marginal costs, marginal benefits and their ratio for each possible incremental change was recommended as being a more effective form of assistance for the service planner.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Center for Transportation Studies, Room 1121
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Banadiak, M
  • Wilson, NHM
• Publication Date: 1984-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 116 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transit; Cost allocation; Information processing; Marginal costs; Mathematical models; Optimization; Routing
• Identifier Terms: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Old TRIS Terms: Allocations; Bus services
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00399564
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-MA-11-0041-84-1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 30 1985 12:00AM