Self-organization leads to supraoptimal performance in public transportation systems

TitleSelf-organization leads to supraoptimal performance in public transportation systems
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsGershenson, C
Journal{PLoS ONE}
Volume6
Paginatione21469
Abstract

The performance of public transportation systems affects a large part of the population. Current theory assumes that passengers are served optimally when vehicles arrive at stations with regular intervals. In this paper, it is shown that self-organization can improve the performance of public transportation systems beyond the theoretical optimum by responding adaptively to local conditions. This is possible because of a ``slower-is-faster'' effect, where passengers wait more time at stations but total travel times are reduced. The proposed self-organizing method uses ``antipheromones'' to regulate headways, which are inspired by the stigmergy (communication via environment) of some ant colonies.

URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0021469
DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0021469