Multi-objective integration of timetables, vehicle schedules and user routings in a transit network

Abstract

The Transit Network Timetabling and Scheduling Problem (TNTSP) aims at determining anoptimal timetable for each line of a transit network by establishing departure and arrivaltimes at each station and allocating a vehicle to each timetable. The current models for theplanning of timetables and vehicle schedules use the a priori knowledge of users’ routings.However, the actual route choice of a user depends on the timetable. This paper solvesthe TNTSP in a public transit network by integrating users’ routings in the model. Theproposed formulation guarantees that each user is allocated to the best possible timetable,while satisfying capacity constraints. In addition, we perform a trade-offanalysis by meansof a multi-objective formulation which jointly optimizes the operator’s and the users’ criteria.