Simulation and Analysis of a Demand Responsive, Automated Transit System

TLDR: In this paper, a computer simulation of a 12-station personal rapid transit system with offline stations and headways of 10 seconds is presented, where one diversion of vehicles in service to pick up passengers at stations enroute who request the vehicle's programed destination.

Abstract: This paper describes a computer simulation of a 12-station personal rapid transit system with offline stations and headways of 10 sec. The simulation has a vehicle assignment algorithm which permits one diversion of vehicles in service to pick up passengers at stations enroute who request the vehicle's programed destination. Results show the diversion strategy provides improved service over a nonstop PRT, for load factors below 30%. At higher demand levels, the additional delay involved in diverting the vehicle outweighs the savings in waiting time.