Potential Benefits of Demand Responsive Transport in Rural Areas: A Simulation Study in Lolland, Denmark

Sergei Dytckov, Jan A. Persson, Fabian Lorig and Paul Davidsson
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Sergei Dytckov: Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden
Jan A. Persson: Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden
Fabian Lorig: Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden
Paul Davidsson: Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: In rural areas with low demand, demand responsive transport (DRT) can provide an alternative to the regular public transport bus lines, which are expensive to operate in such conditions. With simulation, we explore the potential effects of introducing a DRT service that replaces existing bus lines in Lolland municipality in Denmark, assuming that the existing demand remains unchanged. We set up the DRT service in such a way that its service quality (in terms of waiting time and in-vehicle time) is comparable to the replaced buses. The results show that a DRT service can be more cost efficient than regular buses and can produce significantly less CO 2 emissions when the demand level is low. Additionally, we analyse the demand density at which regular buses become more cost efficient and explore how the target service quality of a DRT service can affect operational characteristics. Overall, we argue that DRT could be a more sustainable mode of public transport in low demand areas.

Keywords: demand-responsive transport; microsimulation; operational costs; emissions (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 (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3252-:d:768291

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