A Multi-Objective Bus Rapid Transit Energy Saving Dispatching Optimization Considering Multiple Types of Vehicles

Reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable mobility solutions, including public transport (PT), are increasingly becoming key objectives for policymakers worldwide. Energy saving dispatching optimization for bus rapid transit (BRT) is one of the most efficient strategies for reducing traffic congestion and energy conservation. The purpose of this paper is to address the BRT dispatching problem while taking into account the association between the vehicle type, the waiting time of passengers and the energy consumption of vehicles. This paper presents a mechanical model to describe the level of energy used in different vehicles based on engine universal characteristics considering the characteristics of the vehicle, engine, road, and driving type. The load factor and the passenger average waiting time are used to estimate the quality of service. Furthermore, in order to determine the vehicle scheduling scheme, a multi-objective energy saving dispatching optimization model of BRT is developed aiming to minimize the waiting time of passengers and energy consumption of vehicles. Moreover, a two-phase algorithm is employed in order to solve this multi-objective model. The results show that the designed algorithm is valid for solving the dispatching optimization model of BRT, and the energy consumption and passenger waiting time can be reduced by using an appropriate dispatching scheme.