A Real-Time Control Strategy for Bus Operation to Alleviate Bus Bunching

Yunqiang Xue, Meng Zhong, Luowei Xue, Haokai Tu, Caifeng Tan, Qifang Kong and Hongzhi Guan
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Yunqiang Xue: School of Transportation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
Meng Zhong: School of Transportation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
Luowei Xue: Jiangxi Institute of Transportation Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China
Haokai Tu: School of Transportation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
Caifeng Tan: School of Transportation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
Qifang Kong: School of Transportation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
Hongzhi Guan: School of Transportation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: In order to alleviate bus bunching and improve the balance and punctuality rate of bus operation, a single-line real-time control strategy based on Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) was proposed. The strategy took three measures: controlling the cruising speed, dwell time, and the bus load rate to improve the stability of bus operations and to ensure its running speed. At the same time, the proposed strategy was compared with the literature on the traditional single-point control strategy based on timetable (S1 for short) and the multi-point control strategy based on time headway (S2 for short). Finally, the No. 245 bus line in Nanchang City, China, was selected as a case. It was modeled and simulated by Python programming software, and the control effects of the three control strategies were analyzed. Compared with the uncontrolled bus operations, the simulation results show that: under the control of S1, the bus operation stability is improved, but the bus operation efficiency is reduced; under the control of S2, the problem of S1 operation efficiency reduction can be solved, and the operation stability can be improved at the same time to achieve the effect of preventing bunching. For the real-time control strategy (S3 for short), the average bus travel time is the smallest, the distance between the buses is maintained the best, and the running stability is also the best, which avoids the bus bunching to the greatest extent. Among them, the average travel time is reduced by about 34% compared with the second strategy. This study provides a theoretical basis and strategy reference for bus operators to ensure balanced bus operation.

Keywords: bus bunching; real-time control; bus load rate; time headway (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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