II/2004 - Mentz Datenverarbeitung GmbH

Transfer Optimization with
DIVA-Interval Timetable
Every operator is interested in optimizing
its processes. Generally, operators
want to optimize those internal processes
which decrease costs. However, it
is very difficult to balance these optimizations
with optimizations on the customer's
side. But what would you say if
you were handed a tool that makes your
offered public transport services more
attractive to your customers, increases
your operator income, and at the same
time decreases your operator cost? In
case you are interested in this, DIVA-
Interval Timetable could be the right tool
for you...
Transfer Optimization - what is it?
All transport planners are familiar with
the following problem: the passenger
wants the public transport to have short
time intervals, routes which follow the
same path to be time-wise evenly distributed,
and interchange transfers with
minimal waiting times. In particular, the
realisation of minimal waiting times for
as many transfers as possible is a typical
optimization problem. On the other
hand, in order to reduce costs, the transport
operator wants to manage blocks
with the least amount of vehicles possible,
while keeping with the operator's
legal and technical requirements. This
also influences the transfer situation
along the route. It is not possible to
satisfy both sides, passenger and operator,
completely. So, at what point are
the requirements of both sides optimally
met?
The experienced transport planner
resolves this problem intuitively and
realizes practical results. Because
small changes in the interval-based
timetable can often have a large impact,
the transport planner bases the new
timetable closely on the previous year's
timetable. Thus, new approaches to
solve the above mentioned problems
are not to be expected, and as a result
no clear improvement of the timetable is
achieved. However, previously untapped
economic potential can be gained
with DIVA-Interval Timetable.
Requirements for a transfer
optimization
It is expected that a tool for transfer optimization
support the transport planner in
each planning phase and give the transport
planner information about all relevant
planning data. It should be possible
to: 1) easily define important transfer
relations in the network, 2) have an
overview as to whether or not the requirements
at separate transfers are met
mdv news II/2004 - 6 -
(transfer quality), 3) change departure
time blocks easily via drag and drop and
see the resulting impact on the network
plan, 4) build and control blocks in consideration
of waiting times, and 5) perform
a fully automatic optimization of the
timetable and place this proposed timetable
to the disposal of the transport
planner for further handling.
Implementation in DIVA-Interval
Timetable
A consequent orientation towards the
needs and conditions of transport operators
was very important in the development
of DIVA-Interval Timetable. This
could only be realized through a close
cooperation with larger transport authorities.
During the development phase,
the Transport Operator of Zurich (VBZ)
and especially Mr. Andreas Weisskopf
(Weisskopf Engineering AG), with his
experience in the field of transfer optimization,
assisted mdv. We would like to
thank them for their assistance.
The prototype for DIVA-Interval Timetable
was implemented in the course of
a project with the Transport Operator of
Basel (BVB). Moreover, scientific
research about the practicability of the
program was done within the framework
of a diploma thesis that was supervised
by BVB and mdv. Another objective of
the diploma thesis was to refine the
parameterisation of the system, adjusting
the parameters perfectly to the
actual needs. These efforts were made
to guarantee a high practicability of
DIVA-Interval Timetable.
We are convinced that the new product,
DIVA-Interval Timetable, meets your
requirements for an optimal transport
planning tool. With DIVA-Interval
Timetable it is sufficient to select route
options that are available in the system
and to define the transfer relations. Preset
parameters help to work with as little
input as possible. Afterwards, any timetable
scenario can be run through and
can be compared and optimized with
respect to transfer and block quality.
This is done easily by drag and drop of
routes, with an immediate control of the
result, or fully automatic via the DIVA-
Interval Timetable Optimizer. Footpath
times that are needed by the passenger
to interchange are taken into account as
well as eventual waiting times of the
vehicles at the last stop of a block, automatically
of course.
DIVA-Interval Timetable offers even
more
With DIVA-Interval Timetable it is even
possible to synchronize an interval timetable
with (external) individual events.
This includes, for example, important
transfers with the national or international
long-distance transport with which
the timetables must be aligned.
Moreover, it is possible to refine the
input about routes and transfers. For
example, DIVA-Interval Timetable enables
the restriction of the validity time
interval. Thus, the weekday and day
time dependent requirements can be
elegantly taken into account. Also, vehicle
sequences (e.g. on trunk routes, tunnel
routes, etc) can be defined, or DIVA-
Interval Timetable can define the best
sequence itself, etc.
Conclusion
The large positive feedback from the
transport operators has shown us that
we have hit the bull's eye with DIVA-
Interval Timetable. We have developed
a product that is apparently highly
demanded. Other transport operators
and authorities have already raised interest
in DIVA-Interval Timetable.
Mr. Iffländer, operating manager of BVB
Basel: "With DIVA-Interval Timetable, finally
a tool is available on the market that understands
the important issue of transfer optimization.
The implementation by mdv can be
seen as elaborate and highly successful. We
are very enthusiastic about the possibility to
run through different scenarios with respect
to quality for a complicated network time
schedule within a short amount of time.
DIVA-Interval Timetable will be an important
part of our transport planning in the future.
With this tool we can considerably increase
our passenger satisfaction and thereby the
acceptance of public transport."