Simulation and evaluation of urban rail transit network based on multi-agent approach

• Published in: Journal of industrial engineering and management 2013, Vol.6 (1), p.367-379
• Main Authors: Yao, Xiang-Ming, Zhao, Peng, Qiao, Ke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; agent-oriented modeling; Case studies; Collaboration; Computer simulation; decision support; dynamic passenger flow distribution; Efficiency; Industrial engineering; Mathematical models; Passengers; Route choice; Traffic assignment; Traffic congestion; Trains; Travel; urban rail transit network; urban rail transit network, agent-oriented modeling, dynamic passenger flow distribution, decision support
• ISSN: 2013-0953; 2013-8423; 2013-0953
• DOI: 10.3926/jiem.686

Purpose: Urban rail transit is a complex and dynamic system, which is difficult to be described in a global mathematical model for its scale and interaction. In order to analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of passenger flow distribution and evaluate the effectiveness of transportation strategies, a new and comprehensive method depicted such dynamic system should be given. This study therefore aims at using simulation approach to solve this problem for subway network. Design/methodology/approach: In this thesis a simulation model based on multi-agent approach has been proposed, which is a well suited method to design complex systems. The model includes the specificities of passengers' travelling behaviors and takes into account of interactions between travelers and trains. Findings: Research limitations/implications: We developed an urban rail transit simulation tool for verification of the validity and accuracy of this model, using real passenger flow data of Beijing subway network to take a case study, results show that our simulation tool can be used to analyze the characteristic of passenger flow distribution and evaluate operation strategies well. Practical implications: The main implications of this work are to provide decision support for traffic management, making train operation plan and dispatching measures in emergency. Originality/value: A new and comprehensive method to analyze and evaluate subway network is presented, accuracy and computational efficiency of the model has been confirmed and meet with the actual needs for large-scale network.