Examining the Political and Practical Reality of Bus-based Real Time Passenger Information

Abstract

Enhancing the bus experience through improved information provision is a key element of UK Government transport policy. Real time passenger information (RTPI) is perceived to reassure waiting passengers, to benefit the bus operator through increased revenue and the local authority, by promoting social inclusion and achieving a modal shift. RTPI also provides an important tool for operators by allowing them to monitor services and refine their schedules.

The aim of this paper is to understand the reasons for implementing RTPI in the bus sector, and to determine the key issues impacting on the likely success of such a policy. A case study approach investigates the experiences of two provincial towns in the UK. The paper suggests that, whilst it is unclear whether RTPI has resulted in an increase in bus patronage, it is considered to be most effective when combined as part of a package of measures. It is intended that the findings from the two case studies will reveal lessons of relevance to authorities contemplating the introduction of RTPI.     

Optimization of Fare Structure and Service Frequency for Maximum Profitability of Transit Systems

Abstract

Providing efficient public transportation has been recognized as a potential way of alleviating congestion, improving mobility, mitigating air pollution, and reducing energy consumption. Many people use public transportation systems for their daily commute, while others use different transportation modes (e.g. cars, taxis, carpools, etc.). Inexpensive fares with good transit service encourages ridership, and the resulting revenue may be used to provide better service. Optimization of transit service frequency and its associated fare structure is desirable in order to increase revenue at reasonable transit operating expenditure. The objective of the study reported here is to maximize profit subject to service capacity constraint, while elastic demand is considered. The solution methodology is developed and applied to solve the profit maximization problem in a case study based on Newark, NJ, USA. Numerical results, including optimal solutions and sensitivity analyses, are presented. It is found that an optimal temporal headway and differential fare structure that maximizes total profit for the studied subway system can be efficiently solved.     

私有与私有制之辨——基于《共产党宣言》的文本分析

文章在论述"消灭私有制"的文本含义及其误读的基础上,深入阐述了私有与私有制的区别及区分意义,提出马克思在私有和私有制的理解和评价上存在着诸多的维度和层次,并非完全否定二者,而是在一定意义上给予了二者充分的肯定,为正确理解《共产党宣言》提供了参考。     

公交服务水平评价的Fuzzy Logic模型

本文在充分考虑评价对象的复杂性和评价指标的模糊性的基础上,提出了城市公交服务水平的多目标、多级综合评判方法的Fuzzy Logic模型。该模型通过熵权法确定指标权重,有效避免因个人主观因素对参数指标权重的影响,避免了传统评价方法的主观片面性。最后以某市公共交通为例,依据实际运营资料,提出评价指标体系,并利用已建立的模型进行了案例分析,分析模型的正确枉及评价方法的可行性,效果良好。     

基于GIS公交查询系统的设计与实现

本文充分考虑了乘客出行心理后,设计了以换乘次数最少和出行耗时最少作为约束目标的公交出行最优路径算法。利用动态分段技术建立了公交信息数据库,采用Visualc#．NET＋MapX5．0集成开发的方式开发了公交信息查询系统,实现了输入查询或直接对地图操作来获得出行最优路线和换乘方案。系统以济南市公交网络为基础进行了测试,测试结果良好,为居民的出行提供了一个方便、快捷的公交路线查询平台。     

浅析东京都市圈的公共交通系统

东京都市圈集中了日本约四分之一的人口,每天的交通流给东京的交通系统带来了沉重的压力.而东京地区各种交通方式能有机的结合在一起,共同分担城市交通的压力,基本上解决了东京这个超级城市的交通问题.     

城市交通投资的消费者福利评价

城市交通中多种出行方式共存等特性使传统的成本一效益分析法难以分析出交通投资产生的效果。文中假设发生在各起讫点问的交通出行是1个消费者代表的出行选择结果,推导一般均衡条件下交通服务供应水平变化与消费者剩余之间的关系。通过Logit模型模拟方式选择得到需求函数,结果显示交通投资产生的消费者福利与交通方式选择集的最大效用的期望值有关,表明以离散选择模型为基础的福利评价方法适用于多种交通投资的效果评价,包括交通方式选择集发生变化的情况。     

Exploring public bicycle network structure based on complex network theory and shortest path analysis: the public bicycle system in Yixing,China

A well-functioning public bicycle system relates not only to its mode of operation, vehicle allocation, rental station layout and vehicle leasing configuration, but also the bicycle network structure and its formation. However, the latter aspects have been widely overlooked in China. Here, we help to further attract more researchers to conduct relevant studies and make suggestions for the development of public bicycle transport in many small and medium-sized cities across the world. We demonstrate how to explore the public bicycle network structure of a county-level Chinese city – Yixing – known for its clay ware and tourism. We show that complex network theory and shortest path analysis technology are useful in characterizing the public bicycle network structure, in aspects such as network topology, the spatial distribution of sub-networks and traffic flows. Finally, the paper proposes relevant urban planning strategies.     

Auction-based tolling systems in a connected and automated vehicles environment: Public opinion and implications for toll revenue and capacity utilization

Autonomous and connected vehicles are expected to enable new tolling mechanisms, such as auction-based tolls, for allocating the limited roadway capacity. This research examines the public perception of futuristic auction-based tolling systems, with a focus on the public acceptance of such systems over current tolling practices on highways (e.g., dynamic and fixed tolling methodologies). Through a stated-preference survey, responses from 159 road-users residing in Virginia are elicited to understand route choice behavior under a descending price auction implemented on a hypothetical two-route network. Analysis of the survey data shows that there is no outright rejection of the presented auction-based tolling among those who are familiar with the current tolling methods. While males strongly support the new method, no clear pattern emerges among other demographic variables such as income and education level, and age. While high income respondents and regular commuters are more likely to pay higher tolls, no statistical significance between different genders, age groups, household sizes, and education levels is found. Based on the modeling results and the hypothetical road network, it is found that descending price tolling method yields higher average toll rates, and generates at least 70% more revenue when travel time saving is 30 min, and improves capacity utilization of the toll road significantly compared to fixed tolls.