THE OPTIMISATION OF LAYOVER TIMES FOR BUSES AT TERMINI

This study confirmed the empirical notion that bus layover time should not be "too short" or "too long" and yielded a simple rule for calculating its optimum value. When applied to an actual complete timetable, the rule's success was tested by simulation. Optimum layover depends basically on the standard deviation of journey times and on the category of the route (classified according to headways). Standard deviation is still not widely used by transit operating agencies and only an automatic data collection and processing system will enable it to be determined easily. The PENELOPE model of Paris Metro bus operations was used for the simulation. Layover time fills two functions--a staff function when driver carries out certain stationary duties or relaxes, and a regulation function where the layovers are of sufficient length to allow departures to take place on time. On routes with short headways, the layover time will generally be sufficient for the staff. On routes with longer intervals between buses, extra-long layovers may be necessary.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • French title is: L'Optimisation des Temps de Battement des Autobus aux Terminus and German title is: Optimierung der Wendezeiten von Autobussen an Endhaltestellen.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

  Rue Sainte Marie 6
  Brussels,   Belgium  BE-1080
• Authors:
  • AMAR, G
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 35-46
• Serial:
  • UITP REVUE
  • Volume: 35
  • Issue Number: 1/86

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transit; Headways; Mathematical models; Optimization; Quality of service; Scheduling; Timetables; Traffic delays
• Old TRIS Terms: Bus services; Layovers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00458618
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1988 12:00AM