Optimal Service Design Of Demand Responsive Connector With Elastic Demand

Demand Responsive Connector (DRC) is a type of flexible transit service that connects the residents of an area to a transportation hub. Previous studies on DRC have optimized the service design parameters with the objective to minimize the passengers' travel time. However, the cost and profit of the service were neglected, making it difficult for DRC operators to use the optimization method and the optimized design. In order to fill this gap, the study explores the way to optimize DRC service design with the objective to maximize the profit considering under elastic demand. Rectangular service area and the case of one vehicle are used in this study. Travelling of the DRC vehicle in the service area is regarded as a traveling salesman problem. In this way, the expected travel distance, travel time, and service cycle are derived. The relationship between service design parameters and passenger demand has also been constructed. It has been observed that the profit can be expressed as a nonlinear function of the demand density and service design parameters, including fare, length and width of the service area. Optimal service design and the expected profit are given at different levels of demand density. Simulation is performed to verify the results. Sensitivity analysis is performed with respect to the design parameters when any other is fixed due to practical constraints. DRC operators can use the proposed method to perform feasibility study and to determine the profit of DRC service in an area.