First train schedule optimization for metro systems considering minimum adjustment cost for special event scenarios

During special events, some metro lines and stations may alter their first train schedules to an earlier time, while others remain unchanged. This adjustment can result in longer transfer waiting times for passengers, negatively impacting the overall quality of metro services. Thus, optimizing first train schedules is essential, as it directly influences morning service quality and passengers’ ability to complete their journeys. However, this task is complicated by the elastic nature of passenger flow and inflexibility of published schedules. To tackle this issue, this paper presents a mathematical model that captures the elastic demand for early-morning travel. It also proposes an optimization approach aimed at reducing both the adjustment costs with adjusting first train schedules and the transfer redundancy time throughout the network. By applying linearization techniques, the problem is reformulated into a linear programming model. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through a case study of the Shenzhen metro, which showed a 9.1% reduction in average transfer redundancy time by adjusting the departure times of first trains on two lines and at ten stations during a special event. These results indicate that for metro systems with fixed first train schedules, carefully adjusting departure times at specific stations can effectively accommodate early-morning passenger needs and improve the overall quality of morning services.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtst.2024.11.002
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2046043024001345
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/20460430
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2024 Tongji University and Tongji University Press. Publishing Services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Li, Wei
  • Peng, Ruicai
  • Luo, Qin
  • Mo, Yihong
• Publication Date: 2025-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 121-139
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 2046-0430
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/20460430

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost estimating; Mathematical models; Optimization; Rail transit; Schedules and scheduling; Special events
• Subject Areas: Finance; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01943164
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 24 2025 11:03AM