Optimizing Fleet Structure for Autonomous Electric Buses: A Route-Based Analysis in Aachen, Germany

Hubert Maximilian Sistig (), Philipp Sinhuber, Matthias Rogge and Dirk Uwe Sauer
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Hubert Maximilian Sistig: Chair for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 89, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Philipp Sinhuber: ebusplan GmbH, Boxgraben 38, 52064 Aachen, Germany
Matthias Rogge: ebusplan GmbH, Boxgraben 38, 52064 Aachen, Germany
Dirk Uwe Sauer: Chair for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 89, 52074 Aachen, Germany

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-25

Abstract: Intelligent transportation systems enhance the potential for sustainable, user-friendly, and efficient transport. By eliminating driver costs, autonomous buses facilitate the redesign of networks, timetables, and fleet structure in a cost-effective manner. The electrification of bus fleets offers the opportunity to further improve the environmental sustainability of transportation networks, but requires adjustments to vehicle schedules due to the limited range and charging requirements. This paper examines the intricate relationship between electrification and autonomous buses. To this end, timetables for autonomous electric buses of different sizes were developed for a real bus route in Aachen, Germany. The resulting electric vehicle scheduling problem was then solved using an adaptive large neighborhood search to determine the number of vehicles needed and the total cost of ownership. By eliminating driver costs, vehicles with lower passenger capacity become much more attractive, albeit at a slightly higher cost. In comparison, the incremental costs of electrification are low if the right approach is taken. Fluctuations in typical passenger numbers can be used to modify timetables and vehicle schedules to accommodate the charging needs of autonomous electric buses. In particular, electric bus concepts with fewer charging stations and lower charging power benefit from adapting the timetable to passenger numbers. The results demonstrate that the specific requirements of electric buses should be considered when adapting networks and timetables in order to design a sustainable transport network.

Keywords: autonomous bus; electric bus; public transport; intelligent transportation systems; sustainable transportation; routing problems; electrification; network optimization; autonomous driving (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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