Optimization Model and Solution Algorithm for Rural Customized Bus Route Operation under Multiple Constraints

Abstract

In order to improve the operational efficiency of public transportation systems in rural areas, we investigated the demand-responsive rural customized bus vehicle route optimization problem. First, a two-stage planning model describing the problem in the reservation phase and real-time phase was constructed with the objectives of minimizing the operating cost of the operator and the travel time cost of the passenger, and the passenger time window, vehicle characteristics, rated passenger capacity and the running time of the route were considered in the constraints. Second, a hybrid algorithm solution model combining bat algorithm and adaptive particle swarm algorithm was designed to obtain a more optimal solution. Finally, the effectiveness of the hybrid algorithm on the optimization model was verified by using the actual road network in some townships of Jing’an County, Jiangxi Province, China, and the obtained objective function value was reduced by 5.5%. The results show that the optimization model and hybrid algorithm designed in this paper can be used to provide theoretical references for opening demand-responsive customized bus route operation schemes in rural areas.