Optimal design of personal rapid transit

In this study, we present four optimization problems involved in the design process of the cost and traffic optimal personal rapid transit (PRT) system that is feasible in network connectivity. Based on the guideway network model of PRT defined in this study, we formulate a vehicle routing problem, an empty vehicle allocation problem, a guideway network design problem, and a station design problem. To solve the first three problems efficiently, we customize and utilize a range of combinatorial optimization techniques such as an all-pair shortest-path algorithm, a simplex method, and a multiobjective genetic algorithm. We also conduct traffic capacity analysis to deal with the station design problem