A tabu search based heuristic method for the transit route network design problem

Abstract

Systematic tabu search based meta-heuristic algorithms are designed and implemented for the transit route network design problem. A multi-objective nonlinear mixed integer model is formulated. Solution methodologies based on three variations of tabu search methods are proposed and tested using a small experimental network as a pilot study. Sensitivity analysis is performed, a comprehensive characteristics analysis is conducted and numerical results indicate that the preferred tabu search method outperforms the genetic algorithm used as a benchmark. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.