Bus-to-Depot Allocation: Models and Decision Support System

Abstract

Reducing the cost of operations is one of the most important considerations for urban transport systems. Deadhead kilometer costs are an important aspect of operating costs and are associated with buses traveling empty to and from depots; minimizing these costs is referred to as the bus-to-depot allocation problem and addressing it may be important in reducing overall costs. We present a model and an associated decision support system (DSS) for optimally allocating buses to depots while minimizing deadhead costs and keeping depot occupancy at “ideal” operational levels. The model and DSS are tested in the Athens, Greece, large urban transit system and results indicate that considerable cost savings can be realized compared to current allocation schemes.