Maximizing space-time accessibility in multi-modal transit networks: an activity-based approach

Over the past decades, the impact of transport operating strategy improvements on space-time accessibility, which is an important research area for network design problem, has not been explicitly investigated particularly with the use of activity-based approach. In this paper, a novel activity-based space-time accessibility measure is introduced for considering individuals' accessibility to various activities and travels in a unified super-network framework. A bi-level programming model is proposed for optimizing time-dependent transit line headways and fares in a multi-modal transit network from the activity-based space-time accessibility perspective. In the upper level, transit line headways and fares are optimized by time of day to maximize the network-wide activity-based space-time accessibility. At the lower level, an activity-based network equilibrium model is adapted to provide the resultant activity-travel patterns as reactions to the upper level decision. A simplified network in Hong Kong selected area is used to illustrate the application of the proposed model.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the impact of transport operating strategy improvements on space-time accessibility and introduces a novel activity-based space-time accessibility measure. A bi-level programming model is proposed to optimize transit line headways and fares, aiming to maximize the network-wide activity-based space-time accessibility. The application of the proposed model is illustrated using a simplified network in a selected area of Hong Kong.