Optimization of Multiple-Route Feeder Bus Service: Application of Geographic Information Systems

A genetic algorithm (GA) was developed to optimize a bus transit system serving an irregularly shaped area with a grid street network. The developed objective total cost function was minimized subject to realistic demand distribution and street pattern. The service area in New York City was selected as an example to demonstrate the application of the developed model. With the application of geographic information systems, the street network within the service area was obtained and applied, while the passenger demand information was approximated based on the New York City census report of 1990. The optimal number of bus routes and their locations were found by applying the proposed GA, while the optimal headways of the routes were analytically derived. The method developed here can be applied to dynamic routing buses under various incident situations.