Joint optimal vehicle and recharging scheduling for mixed bus fleets under limited chargers

Authors

Shaohua Cui
Kun Gao
Bin Yu
Zhenliang Ma
Arsalan Najafi

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2023

Subject Area

place - asia, place - urban, mode - bus, infrastructure - fleet management, infrastructure - vehicle, operations - scheduling, operations - frequency, economics - operating costs, technology - alternative fuels

Keywords

Constrained optimization, Cost effectiveness, Diesel engines, Electric lines, Integer programming, Linear programming

Abstract

Owing to the high acquisition costs, maintenance expenses, and inadequate charging infrastructure associated with electric buses, achieving a complete replacement of diesel buses with electric counterparts in the short term proves challenging. A substantial number of bus operators currently find themselves in a situation where they must integrate electric buses with their existing diesel fleets. Confronted with the constraints of limited electric bus range and charging infrastructure, the primary concern for bus operators is how to effectively utilize their mixed bus fleets to adhere to pre-established bus timetables while maximizing the deployment of electric buses, known for their zero pollution and cost-effective travel. Consequently, this paper introduces the concept of the joint optimization problem for vehicle and recharging scheduling within mixed bus fleets operating under constrained charging conditions. To tackle this issue, a mixed integer linear model is formulated to optimize the coordination of bus schedules and recharging activities within the context of limited charging infrastructure. By establishing a set of feasible charging activities, the problem of electric buses queuing for charging at constrained charging stations is transformed into a linear optimization model constraint. Numerical simulations are conducted within the real transit network of the Dalian Economic Development Zone in China. The results indicate that the judicious joint optimization of vehicle and charging scheduling significantly enhances the service frequency of electric buses while reducing operational costs for bus lines. Notably, the proportion of total trips performed by electric buses rises to 80.4%.

Rights

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

Comments

Transportation Research Part E Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13665545

Recommended Citation

Cui, S., Gao, K., Yu, B., Ma, Z., & Najafi, A. (2023). Joint optimal vehicle and recharging scheduling for mixed bus fleets under limited chargers. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 180, 103335.