An interactive graphic approach for the integrated design of intercity transportation timetables and vehicle operations

The planning and management of the services offered by any intercity passenger transportation company involve two key levels of concern that can be characterized as follows: 1. (1) the strategic “market-oriented” level where one is mainly concerned with the design of an efficient timetable that best suits travellers' expectations, but with little consideration for operational and feasibility issues, and 2. (2) the operational level where, on the contrary, one mainly addresses such issues—notably the routing and scheduling of vehicles (which ultimately determines the service timetable)—to the detriment of marketing considerations. In this paper, a decision support system is presented which aims at reconciling both levels of concern within an integrated interactive-graphic framework. The main components of the computer system are described, its database structure and the underlying algorithmic method are outlined and experimental results are reported.