Brooklyn bus network redesigned using a state-of-the-art simulation-based network frequency setting

Bus network redesigns should impact travelers’ mode, route, and departure time choices. We design a network frequency setting model that incorporates these behavioral factors with a simulation-based optimization in which MATSim-NYC is used as the simulator. We propose a frequency setting for Eric Goldwyn’s bus network redesign for Brooklyn that is projected to improve farebox recovery ratio from ~0.22 under existing to 0.35 and show that 2.5% of new trips would be substituting ride-hail while 74% would replace driving. Further work can be done to identify individuals from our NYC synthetic population using the service for #equity analysis. The open-source tool can be used to evaluate other MATSim-embedded transit network design efforts, especially at low cost in NYC given the existing code (i.e. post-pandemic network designs, electric bus fleets, last mile microtransit, redesigns addressing equity, etc.).

The work was supported by C2SMART Center (USDOT #69A3551747124) and the FHWA Dwight David Eisenhower Fellowship program. The paper can be found here: https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/IFD92ZR8JQFSRPI8HGFG/full