Connectivity, Reliability and Approachability in Public Transport: Some Indicators for Improving Sustainability

Neila Bhouri (), Tiziana Campisi, Maurice Aron and S. M. Hassan Mahdavi
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Neila Bhouri: Laboratory Cosys/Grettia, University Gustave Eiffel, 14-20 Boulevard Newton, Cité Descartes, Champs sur Marne, 77447 Marne-la-Vallée, France
Tiziana Campisi: Department of Engineering & Architecture, University of Enna Kore, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy
Maurice Aron: Independent Researcher, 48 Rue Florian, 92160 Antony, France
S. M. Hassan Mahdavi: Institut VEDECOM, 23bis, Allée des Marronniers, 78000 Versailles, France

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-31

Abstract: The reliability of public transport connectivity is influenced by factors such as route design, frequency, availability and infrastructure. Using a shortest path algorithm, we identify up to “k” space–time paths for each origin–destination pair (OD), considering schedules and maximum tolerable waiting times. We propose four reliability indicators and an approachability indicator to assess transport supply. These indicators are calculated at path, OD and network levels using two sets of equations. This framework enables fleet managers to evaluate and compare strategies to improve connectivity reliability and equity, such as increasing route frequency, optimizing lengths or expanding the network. Enhancing connectivity reliability encourages modal shifts to public transport, while improving approachability minimizes resource usage, contributing to sustainability. An application to the bus network of a city in Brittany, France, demonstrates the practical use of these indicators in evaluating and optimizing transport strategies.

Keywords: sustainability; reliability; public transport network; “k” shortest paths algorithm; time × space (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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