Development of a methodology for bus route network analysis for the western province

Abstract

The selection of an optimal public transport route structure for a transit network is a combinatorial type optimization problem. Therefore finding a good solution would not be based on theoretical network analysis methodologies. All passengers would prefer to have a direct route connecting each node pair so that it will reduce their travel cost and transfer cost. Then the level of service will also increase. On the other hand, it will increase the operator cost. Further, the demand between some of the node pairs will be very low and a direct bus route cannot be justified. The operator would always prefer to operate on a route with a higher demand and higher income. Therefore, there should be a compromise between these two situations. The optimum solution should be found that satisfies both parties. Design of such a route network cannot be done manually due to the complexity of the road network and the demand distribution pattern.