Frequency optimization-based approach for reducing crowding discomfort in Delhi bus system

Overcrowding in public transport (PT) is one of the major issues and should be improved in order to make the PT system more attractive in megacities. However, most of the mathematical models do not consider the cost of crowding discomfort faced by the users in the total cost minimization objective function while determining the optimum frequency of PT systems. This work develops a mathematical model that explicitly considers this aspect. The work first develops an exponential function of crowding multiplier with load factor and then uses it to determine the cost of crowding discomfort. The work is applied to a real-life network of 34 bus routes of Delhi, India. Lastly, the work also presents sensitivity analysis with the value of waiting time and travel demand and provides policy and planning implications for the Delhi bus network.