A multi-criteria approach to support frequency setting and vehicle technology selection of bus transportation

This research addresses the Frequency Setting Problem (FSP) together with vehicle technology selection for bus fleet sizing and management. A decision support tool was developed that combines a multi-criteria decision analysis, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and an enumeration procedure. The tool assists transportation operators in selecting optimal frequencies and vehicle technologies, considering economic, social, and environmental criteria. Computational experiments performed in the city of Niterói, Brazil, demonstrate the effectiveness of the tool. Scenarios with different criteria prioritizations highlight the flexibility of the approach and emphasize the need for a balance between all the sustainability dimensions. This approach positively impacts public transportation system performance, favouring higher-capacity vehicles while considering demand, and contributing to sustainable urban mobility.