Novel coupling-decoupling strategy for scheduling autonomous public transport vehicles in overcrowded corridors

This work brings a novel planning and operational concept of the foreseen use of autonomous public transport vehicles through a new coupling-decoupling strategy. The defined problem covers vehicle scheduling, fleet composition, and the combined station location infrastructure in a joint optimization framework taking into consideration simultaneously supplier (operator) and user (passenger) standpoints. The formulation consists of multi-objective, mixed integer, linear programming model to integrate multiple demand configurations and various fleet sizes. A Variable Neighborhood Search algorithm is developed to solve a decision-making, strategy-based, integration problem. In addition, classical deficit function graphical theory is applied to capture the unit circulation process. Finally, the solution approach is validated by a small case study in Auckland, New Zealand. The results of two scenarios indicate cost reductions of 6.79% and 14.29%.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.