Integrated Periodic Timetabling and Vehicle Circulation Scheduling

Periodic timetabling is one of the most well-researched problems in public transport optimization literature. However, impact that has on number required vehicles, which directly translates to operator costs, rarely considered. Therefore, this paper, we consider problem jointly optimizing timetable and vehicle circulation schedule, specifies cyclic sequences trips vehicles perform. In order obtain high-quality solutions realistic instances, improve an earlier proposed formulation by contraction techniques, three new valid inequalities, symmetry-breaking constraints. Ultimately, allows us explore trade-off between attractiveness from passengers’ perspective. An extensive computational study demonstrates effectiveness improved formulation. Moreover, using approach, are able find timetables requiring substantially fewer at cost minimal increases average travel time passengers.