Optimization of urban bus operation frequency under common route condition with rail transit

The overlap of bus and rail transit routes is common in China. This overlap provides passengers multiple choices for one trip. However, the availability of multiple options would cause uncertainty in the travel distribution of passengers. Given that buses and rail transits are becoming increasingly common, this paper aims to present the overlapped operation condition of bus and rail transit using a bi-level model from the perspective of bus operators. Frequency optimization model is established in the upper-level model. A heuristic algorithm called shuffled complex evolution(SCE-UA) method is used to solve the established frequency optimization model, and three other heuristic methods are compared with SCE-UA. A lower-level Logit model based on Agent simulation is set for traffic mode split. Data on the transit system in Dalian city are chosen as an example to test the feasibility of the model and the algorithm. Results show that as the overlapped optimization of bus route and rail transit routes changed primary bus frequency, the use of SCE-UA to solve such problems has evident advantages and feasibility; furthermore, changed bus frequency would improve bus operations.

Sense of CommuniW Responsibility as a Determinant of Corporate Responsibility

Research on the social value of the bus industry in Australia revealed an inconsistency in findings between qualitative and quantitative results in relation to the nature of a bus operator＇s interaction with the community where they provide a transport service. As part of a larger research project that surveyed bus operators about their corporate social responsibility, bivariate analysis found that the responses to the embedded Sense of Community Index （SOCI） did not provide a predictor of the extent of a bus operator＇s community interaction or determinant of Corporate Responsibility （CR）. However, qualitative comments in the survey suggested that bus operators did display strong positive feelings about their community. Published after the data collection stage was completed, the Sense of Community Responsibility Index （SOCRI） appeared to be a better fit than SOCI to explain the nature of bus operator＇s interaction with their community. Rather than drawing on community resources, the interaction was shown to be one of leaderships on the part of the operator. Further examination of this relationship using the SOCR would test this finding.

Measuring Social Capital Linkage： The Role of the State-Based Voluntary Professional Association

This paper discusses the nature of the Australian bus and coach representative environment and the role of the state-based voluntary professional association （SBVPA）. A literature review associated with memberships to which businesses subscribe for representation and linking social capital is presented, as well as a discussion on agency theory that possibly explains the member/association dynamic. The results of an Australia-wide survey of bus operators, which measures the extent of linking social capital between themselves and their SBVPA, are revealed. It is found that one state with consistently higher results may possess a competitive advantage in the form of a partnership agreement with the State Government Authority--an agreement that rests on co-operation and facilitates social capital. This evidence could contribute to the global narrative on how non-profit associations can be a mechanism for institutionalising social capital, sustain a firm＇s operation and encourage governments to increase their use of non-profit associations, as agents of government, to achieve public policy outcomes.

Timetable optimization for single bus line based on hybrid vehicle size model

This study proposes a flexible timetable optimization method based on hybrid vehicle size model to tackle the bus demand fluctuations in transit operation. Three different models for hybrid vehicle, large vehicle and small vehicle are built in this study, respectively. With the operation data of Shanghai Transit Route 55 at peak and off-peak hours, a heuristic algorithm was proposed to solve the problem. The results indicate that the hybrid vehicle size model excels the other two modes both in the total time and total cost. The study verifies the rationality of the strategy of hybrid vehicle size model and highlights the importance of the adaptive vehicle size in dealing with the bus demand fluctuation. The main innovation of the study is that unlike traditional timetables, the arrangement of the scheduling interval and the corresponding bus type or size are both involved in the timetable of hybrid vehicle size bus mode, which will be more effective to solve the problem of passenger demand fluctuation. Findings from this research would provide a new perspective to improve the level of regular bus service.