Optimal Fleet Size for Cross-Route Dispatching in Electrified Bus Networks

This manuscript proposes a model for optimal fleet size in electrified bus networks using cross-route dispatching. Battery Electric Buses often require day-time charging, which might require long idle time. The longer total idle time results in a bigger fleet size. Here, we show that we can reduce the total idle time, and consequently the fleet size, by applying the cross-route dispatching method to the entire bus network. The proposed model can also find the location of fast en-route charging stations and manage their maximum required power. In addition, the model can adopt a network with different bus sizes, battery capacities and required charging loads. We verified the model on bus networks of New York City, USA, Melbourne, AU and Manchester, UK, and showed that it can significantly reduce the fleet size in these cities.