Designing an Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand Service for Transit Last-Mile Access

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2024

Subject Area

ridership - mode choice, ridership - demand, planning - integration

Keywords

planning and analysis, network assignment, networks, optimization, public transportation, transportation network companies, network

Abstract

Public transportation has the potential to provide a safe, convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly mobility service. However, because of its fixed routes and limited network coverage, it is sometimes difficult or impossible for passengers to walk from a transit stop to their destination. This inaccessibility problem is also known as the “transit last-mile connectivity problem.” Such a lack of connectivity can force travelers to drive, consequently increasing vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the roads. The autonomous mobility-on-demand (AMoD) service, with characteristics such as quick fleet repositioning and demand responsiveness, has the potential to provide last-mile coverage where fixed-route transit can only provide limited coverage. This study aims to address the last-mile problem by developing an online demand-responsive AMoD service integrated with fixed-route transit. A linear time-delay dynamical system is proposed to model the AMoD system, and a model predictive control methodology is adopted to regulate the system around an equilibrium point with minimum vehicle rebalancing. To assess the impact of this new mobility service on travel demand, a simulation study is developed and integrated with a mode choice model capturing a combined transit-AMoD model. The experiment results reveal the potential to enhance transit efficiency, reduce VMT, and accommodate the increased transit demand while maintaining the quality of service.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by SAGE, copyright remains with them.

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