Innovative Urban Planning: A Heuristic Approach Using the Simulated Annealing Algorithm to Optimize the Land Use Allocation for Enhancing Public Transportation Ridership

It is well established fact that land uses and transport are interrelated. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is one such urban planning concept that examines the relationship between land use and transportation. Optimization of land-use allocation is an important part of TOD because it promotes social equality of public services, boosts the economic benefits of land-use activities, and reduces ecological risk by increasing public transportation and NMT usage. Several research studies have explored relation between urban structures and travel behaviour. However, the role of urban structure in enhancing public transportation ridership remains unexplored. A compact and dense urban form along the transit route would boost public transportation ridership. However, what is optimum configuration of urban form among various compact urban forms possible is unanswered. This study proposes model that attempts to allocate urban form along the transit corridors to optimize the public transport share. The model employs accessibility to public transportation as mode choice criteria for allocating land uses. Simulated annealing algorithm a heuristic technique is used to allocate land uses. The study is demonstrated considering a case of Nashik Municipal Corporation in India. The results obtained are consistent with transit-oriented policies. The obtained urban form is allocated to enhance public transport accessibility hence the ridership. High density is allocated along the transit corridors in relation to frequencies on corridor. The existing mode share of 13% has risen to 18% with the change in urban form while public transportation supply remaining constant. Overall, the suggested heuristic technique based on the simulated annealing algorithm will aid city authorities and planners in developing optimal land use allocation plans for increasing public transportation ridership with available public transportation supply.