Zero bunching solution for a local public transport system with multiple-origins bus operation

Bus bunching in public transport is the concentration of similar buses having different schedules to a common time point. The reason for this phenomenon is variations existing in the bus operation as earliness and lateness. Bus bunching has the consequence of reduced service reliability concerning both passengers and operators. A zero bunching state is vital for enhancing the usage of public transport where the buses operate with utmost schedule adherence. Two generally adopted strategies for solving bus bunching are a schedule-based strategy which provides slack time in a timetable to address late running and fixed departure time for the early operations, and a headway-based strategy that maintains headway between buses. Bus bunching due to multiple origins is a special case in which common tactics cannot effectively control a bunching tendency that arises at the entry point. The operation schedules of multiple origins must be so designed that a state of zero bus bunching can be ensured while buses from different origins reach the entry points. This article presents a model of a multiple-origins public transport network as a combination of origins, routes and entry points, developed in the search for achieving a zero bunching state in the operation beyond an entry point. The origins are modelled based on the entry-point variables. The routes are modelled based on the running time, departure time, arrival time, and dwell time. The entry points are modelled based on route and entry-point variables. Redesigning route schedules based on the entry-point characteristics and an appropriate slack time implementation are proposed and observed to be suitable for overcoming bunching in a multiple-origins bus operation.

Automated summary

Bus bunching in public transport refers to the situation where similar buses converge at a common time point due to operational variations. This phenomenon reduces service reliability for both passengers and operators, and strategies such as schedule-based and headway-based approaches are commonly used to address it. For cases of bus bunching due to multiple origins, redesigning route schedules based on entry-point characteristics and implementing appropriate slack time have been shown to effectively overcome this issue.