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In recent years, well-designed bus rapid transit (BRT) systems have become a real alternative to more expensive rail-based public transportation systems around the world. However, once the BRT system is operational, its success often depends on the routes offered to passengers. Thus, the bus rapid transit route design problem (BRTRDP) is the problem of finding a set of routes and frequencies that minimizes the operational and passenger costs (travel time) while simultaneously satisfying the system’s technical constraints, such as meeting the demands for trips, bus frequencies, and lane capacities. To address this problem, we propose a mathematical formulation of the BRTRDP as a mixed-integer program (MIP) with an underlying network structure. However, because of the vast number of routes, solving the MIP via branch and bound is out of reach for most practical instances. Hence, we propose a decomposition strategy that, given a certain set of routes, decouples the route selection decisions from the BRT system performance evaluation. The latter evaluation is done by solving a linear optimization problem using a column generation scheme. We embedded this decomposition strategy in a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) and tested it in 14 instances ranging from 5 to 40 stations with different BRT system topologies. The results show that in 8 of 14 problems, the HGA was able to obtain a solution that is provably optimal within 0.20%. Additionally, in 4 of 14 instances, HGA obtained the optimal solution.

Between 2008 and 2015, bus rapid transit system (BRTS) in India increased its implementation from two cities to eight cities with a significant increase in total ridership. This paper attempts to give a detailed review of BRTS implementation in cities of India. This is a systematic effort that could inform readers about the current system and network characteristics of Indian BRTS. Different system and corridor characteristics including off board and on board ticketing systems are adopted in India. Gross cost revenue collection model is adopted by almost all special purpose vehicle (SPV) companies developed to manage BRT systems. A variety of carriageway concept designs for BRTS are implemented in these cities considering a right of way of 22, 24, 30, 32, 40, 45, 60 meters respectively. Out of the eight cities, Ahmedabad has almost 30% of the total fleet size. In terms of regulatory context, SPV companies are formed in almost all eight cities after observing Ahmedabad BRT success. Documentation of these operating systems shall provide a sound database to planners and decision makers actively involved with BRT system implementation in developing countries.

The selection and prioritization of suitable strategies to address the challenges to the successful operation and implementation of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system is a common problem faced by practitioners and decision-makers. Recent research has widely discussed the issue, but such assessments have remained limited in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania context, where there are mobility difficulties. The present study addresses this research gap and identifies the most critical challenges to BRT implementation and operation, and recommends the most appropriate strategy for overcoming them. Seven strategies are defined. To prioritize these strategies, five criteria are determined. An integrated multi-criteria decision-making model is introduced. Improved Fuzzy Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis based on the Bonferroni operator was used to determine the importance of the criteria. Measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution was applied to assess and rank the strategies. The results indicate that “frequent flooding at the Jangwani bridge bus terminal” and “long waiting time at bus stops” are the most critical challenges while the fourth alternative “strengthening the operation and management” is the appropriate strategy to be implemented for successful operation and implementation of the BRT system. After that, a five-phase sensitivity analysis is performed to observe the robustness of the proposed approach. The results indicate the flexibility and applicability of the proposed approach can address real-life problems. The proposed methodology in this work can be instrumental in assisting mass transit operators with the successful implementation and operation of the BRT system.

Continuous development of transport systems at the state level is an urgent task, the success of which will largely determine the dynamics of improving the quality of life and trade and economic efficiency of regions, cities and the state as a whole. To make a qualitative transition to a fundamentally new concept of transport is possible only based on scientifically sound approaches and fundamental analysis of all aspects of the creation and operation of the transport system.

This study explores how intermediate airshafts affect the aerodynamics of urban rapid transit trains in tunnels. It employs a three-dimensional turbulence model to simulate train-tunnel interactions, specifically examining airshafts’ impact on transient pressure variations along surfaces. The model’s accuracy and reliability are confirmed by comparing results with full-scale experimental data. The results show that airshafts effectively mitigate peak tunnel wall pressures, with the lowest peak overpressure observed at the airshaft location. With the airshaft-reflected expansion wave arriving ahead of the train, the pressure between the train front and tunnel wall decreases compared to scenarios without airshafts. Similar transient pressure changes at the tunnel entrance and rear half suggest the emergence of a “secondary compression wave” due to the train’s transit.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a tool that aids in achieving sustainable urban development. It promotes economic, environmental, and social sustainability by integrating land use and transportation planning. Many researchers have investigated mass rapid transit (MRT) station regions for TOD in developed cities. However, in a developing city such as Dhaka, measuring node-based TOD (TOD index) during MRT construction has been disregarded in planning future land use. Furthermore, no prior research on quantitative TOD measurement in Dhaka exists. As a result, we developed a framework for both quantitative and spatial node-based TOD measurement based on the four Ds (density, diversity, destination accessibility, and design) of the TOD concept. With 17 stations under construction, MRT 6 was selected as our study area. The TOD index was measured by nine indicators based on the four criteria (4Ds), spatially in the geographic information system (GIS). After calculating the indicators, the TOD index for each station’s 800m buffer was estimated using the spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA). A sensitivity analysis of four TOD scenarios was performed to check the model’s robustness. Additionally, a heatmap of the TOD index for MRT 6 was created for informed planning and policymaking. Furthermore, statistically significant hotspots (both Getis Org Gi* and Anselen Local Moran Statistics) and hotspot clusters were identified. Finally, we illustrate the station-based ranking based on the maximum TOD score. In addition, a detailed spider-web of nine indicators for 17 stations depicts sustainable TOD planning. However, regarding density and diversity, sustainable development and (re)development policies should be implemented not only for MRT 6 but for all Dhaka’s TOD regions.

In this paper, we explore different methods to detect patterns in the activity of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems focusing on two aspects of transit: infrastructure and the movement of vehicles. To this end, we analyze records of velocity and position of each active vehicle in nine BRT systems located in the Americas. We detect collective patterns that characterize each BRT system obtained from the statistical analysis of velocities in the entire system (global scale) and at specific zones (local scale). We analyze the velocity records at the local scale applying the Kullback-Leibler divergence to compare the vehicular activity between zones. This information is organized in a similarity matrix that can be represented as a network of zones. The resulting structure for each system is analyzed using network science methods. In particular, by implementing community detection algorithms on networks, we obtain different groups of zones characterized by similarities in the movement of vehicles. Our findings show that the representation of the dataset with information of vehicles as a network is a useful tool to characterize at different scales the activity of BRT systems when geolocalized records of vehicular movement are available. This general approach can be implemented in the analysis of other public transportation systems.

Droplet manipulation holds significant promise across the energy, environmental, and medical fields. However, current methods still lack a solution that simultaneously satisfies the requirements for self-powered energy supply, high efficiency, human-droplet interaction, flexibility, and universality. Herein, we develop a human-droplet interaction platform based on an omni-directional triboelectric tweezer, which directly utilizes triboelectric charges induced by human motion to manipulate droplets. The omni-directional triboelectric tweezer produces the charges and electric field necessary for droplet control through simple sliding motions, thereby eliminating conventional dependencies on power source and complex electrode arrays. Moreover, its omni-directional operation capability further enhances the flexibility and precision of droplet manipulation. Our approach demonstrates effective droplet manipulation in both gas and liquid phases through hand movements, enabling a range of operations such as efficient transportation, precise anchoring, flexible steering, merging chemical reactions, and drug extraction, showcasing its comprehensive application capabilities. Here, authors develop a self-powered omni-directional triboelectric tweezer for precise droplet manipulation. It generates high voltage through hand movements, enabling efficient droplet control in air and oil. Applications may include high-speed transport, precise positioning, and non-invasive sample extraction.

Quantifying the impact of disruptions on rapid transit resilience is crucial in transport planning. We propose a composite resilience score for rapid transit systems comprising four indicators that measure different physical aspects of resilience. These are computed using a weighted network model incorporating the network structure of stations, differences in line capacities, and travel demand. Our method provides a holistic assessment of network resilience and allows for straightforward comparisons of different scenarios including rail expansions and changes in demand. Applying our methodology to multiple configurations of Singapore’s rapid transit system, we demonstrate its effectiveness in capturing the impact of planned future lines. We also showcase through simulated studies how tipping points in resilience arise when demand varies. Furthermore, we demonstrate that system resilience could be unintentionally reduced by redistributing commuting demand to peripheral areas. Our methodology is easily applied to other rapid transit systems around the world.

The city of Jakarta has grown very rapidly with more than 18.6 million private vehicles passing through it. Around 47.5 million people move in Jakarta and its surroundings, only 24 percent use public transportation. This trend of using transportation that is fast and uncontrollable, but not many people use public transportation. The purpose of this research is to provide direction to the public and the government so that the use of pedestrian-oriented public transportation and mass public transportation through the application of the TOD concept. This research method is descriptive argumentative in nature supported by data sources and processed qualitatively. The results of this study show that the application of TOD to mass transportation systems in Jakarta that currently exist or exist such as Commuter line stops or stations, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Trans Jakarta Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rapid Transit (LRT) has provided convenience and comfort for its users, as well as regional arrangement, passenger flow, and integration between mode. The conclusion of this study is that the TOD system that has been built can connect the downtown area with connected buffer areas via the BRT, MRT and LRT. This transportation system was developed managed by Jabodetabek Transportation Management Agency (PT. BPTJ).