A Cost-Based Assignment of Demand-Responsive Transport: A Comparative Study with Public Transportation Alternatives

Demand-responsive transport (DRT), a flexible and dynamic mode, is becoming popular in urban cities but often competes with traditional public transport (PT). This paper explores the integration of DRT and PT, introducing a decision-making strategy that evaluates DRT and PT options based on travel time and fare. By prioritizing routes where DRT offers the most value and relegating less cost-efficient journeys to PT, this strategy aims to optimize the utility of both modes. Implemented and tested using the MATSim simulator in Inner Melbourne, Australia, the findings indicate a significant improvement in system efficiency: 15-18% of requests were economically rejected, reducing overall travel costs by approximately 9-16%, with total fare savings estimated between 14-31%. This study demonstrates the potential trade-offs between system travel time and fare, substantiating the model’s effectiveness in enhancing urban transport systems.