Using Smart Devices to Enhance On-Demand Public Transportation
Suburban residents often encounter challenges when it comes to accessing reliable and convenient bus transit services, with issues such as infrequent schedules and long wait times being common complaints. The low population density in these areas often prevents transit agencies from adding more buses to improve service.
On-demand transit (ODT) presents an innovative solution to enhance the quality and accessibility of public transportation while also reducing operating costs. Despite the increasing popularity of ODT services in cities across Canada and the United States, the traditional methods of booking rides through mobile apps, phone calls, or websites may raise privacy concerns among passengers. Additionally, individuals without access to phones may face difficulties in utilizing these services.
Research conducted by Seyed Mehdi Meshkani, Nizar Bouguila, Siavash Farazmand, and Zachary Patterson explores the potential of ODT by utilizing smart devices installed at bus stops. These Smart City Network (SCiNe) devices, developed by BusPas, Inc., offer real-time information to passengers, such as estimated arrival times, delays, and passenger counts on transit services. By providing this real-time information, passenger satisfaction can be improved, and transit agencies can make data-driven decisions to optimize operations.
The proposed configuration involves passengers at equipped bus stops using SCiNe devices to request rides. These devices transmit information to the transit agency, including the bus stop location, request time, and destination. Real-time data from the fleet of vehicles, primarily vans, is also collected to keep the agency informed about vehicle availability, current positions, requested locations, and routes.
Optimizing schedules and routes is made possible through a dispatching algorithm that dynamically matches passengers with available vehicles based on various parameters such as wait times and detours. The algorithm also considers the proximity of passenger locations and expected trip durations, selecting optimal routes based on real-time traffic conditions and travel times.
The implementation of this on-demand service was tested in Terrebonne, a suburb of Montréal, showcasing reduced travel times for transit users compared to traditional bus services. By leveraging innovative technologies like SCiNe devices and advanced dispatching algorithms, ODT offers a promising approach to enhance accessibility, reduce commute times, and elevate the overall transit user experience.
This article was originally published on The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons license.
