A Microcirculation Optimization Model for Public Transportation Networks in Low-Density Areas Considering Equity—A Case of Lanzhou

Liyun Wang, Minan Yang (), Xin Li and Yongsheng Qian
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Liyun Wang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Minan Yang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Xin Li: School of Transportation, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yongsheng Qian: School of Transportation, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: With the increase in urban–rural disparities in China, rural public transportation systems in low-density areas face unique challenges, especially in the contexts of sparse population, complex topography, and uneven resource allocation; research on public transportation in low-density areas has had less attention compared to high-density urban areas. Therefore, how to solve the dilemma of public transportation service provision in low-density rural areas due to sparse population and long travel distances has become an urgent problem. In this paper, a dynamic optimization model based on a two-layer planning framework was constructed. The upper layer optimized the topology of multimodal transportation nodes through the Floyd shortest path algorithm to generate a composite network of trunk roads and feeder routes; the lower layer adopted an improved Logit discrete choice model, integrating the heterogeneous utility parameters, such as time cost, economic cost, and comfort, to simulate and realize the equilibrium allocation of stochastic users. It was found that the dynamic game mechanism based on the “path optimization–fairness measurement” can optimize the travel time, mode, route, and bus stop selection of rural residents. At the same time, the mechanism can realize the fair distribution of rural transportation network subjects (people–vehicles–roads). This provides a dynamic, multi-scenario macro policy reference basis for the optimization of a rural transportation network layout.

Keywords: two-layer planning; fairness; road network optimization; low-density area; microcirculation of the public transportation network (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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