Decision-Support System for the Optimal Technology Split of a Decarbonized Bus Network

In recent years, an increasing number of cities has started to deploy electric buses in test or demonstration phases. Among many different variants of electric technologies, usually a small number of buses of a selected technology type is ordered and operated on a single bus line. Few experiences were made with regard to a full fleet conversion, which requires an in-depth assessment of local operating conditions for different technologies and is accompanied by a number of complex, interrelated strategic and operational decisions. The goal of this work is to identify an optimal composition of electric technologies for the fleet of an urban bus network. Specifically, hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses, overnight or opportunity charging buses can be chosen. By minimizing total cost of ownership, the optimal technology for each bus line is selected and vehicle and charging schedules as well as spatial distribution of charging stations and infrastructure dimensions at the depot are optimized.