The Modular Autonomous Vehicle (MAV) represents a paradigm shift in vehicular technology, offering unprecedented flexibility and adaptability in transportation systems. MAVs possess advanced modular capabilities that allow individual vehicular units to seamlessly merge and split while in motion, which enables two innovative features:  flexible capacity and in-motion passenger transfers between units. We explore the application of this groundbreaking technology in public transportation services. Specifically, we have developed models and algorithms to optimize the on-demand mobility service provided by MAVs considering passengers en-route transfers. Moreover, we have developed a novel approach to alleviating bus bunching for MAV-aided bus systems. The approach uses two types of splits, namely “catch-up split” and “holding split”, to help late and early buses effectively recover from schedule deviation.

• Liu, Y., Chen, Z.*, & Wang, X. 2024. Alleviating Bus Bunching via Modular Vehicles. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 103051.