Optimization of Public Bus Route in a Smart City Utilizing Real-time Human Location Data Analysis

In recent years, there are regions where accidents caused by elderly individuals driving have become a social issue. Automobiles are a crucial means of transportation in daily life, therefore, alternative transportation options are necessary to reduce driving opportunities for the elderly. Public buses are one of the useful means of transportation for moving within the city. However, it is not guaranteed that public buses are running appropriate routes for the citizens. To verify the appropriateness of the bus routes, we investigated the citizens’ mobility patterns by analyzing their location information in Nobeoka City. The results of the investigation enabled us to find different mobility patterns among the citizens compared to the current bus routes.