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Potential Benefits of Demand Responsive Transport in Rural Areas: A Simulation Study in Lolland, Denmark

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  • Sergei Dytckov

    (Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden)

  • Jan A. Persson

    (Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden)

  • Fabian Lorig

    (Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden)

  • Paul Davidsson

    (Internet of Things and People Research Centre, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden)

Abstract

In rural areas with low demand, demand responsive transport (DRT) can provide an alternative to the regular public transport bus lines, which are expensive to operate in such conditions. With simulation, we explore the potential effects of introducing a DRT service that replaces existing bus lines in Lolland municipality in Denmark, assuming that the existing demand remains unchanged. We set up the DRT service in such a way that its service quality (in terms of waiting time and in-vehicle time) is comparable to the replaced buses. The results show that a DRT service can be more cost efficient than regular buses and can produce significantly less CO 2 emissions when the demand level is low. Additionally, we analyse the demand density at which regular buses become more cost efficient and explore how the target service quality of a DRT service can affect operational characteristics. Overall, we argue that DRT could be a more sustainable mode of public transport in low demand areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergei Dytckov & Jan A. Persson & Fabian Lorig & Paul Davidsson, 2022. "Potential Benefits of Demand Responsive Transport in Rural Areas: A Simulation Study in Lolland, Denmark," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3252-:d:768291
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    Cited by:

    1. Peiqing Li & Longlong Jiang & Shunfeng Zhang & Xi Jiang, 2022. "Demand Response Transit Scheduling Research Based on Urban and Rural Transportation Station Optimization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Myeonggeun Jang & Sunghee Lee & Jihwan Kim & Jooyoung Kim, 2025. "Dynamic Minimum Service Level of Demand–Responsive Transit: A Prospect Theory Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Hyunmyung Kim & Jaeheon Choi & Sungjin Cho & Feng Liu & Hyungmin Jin & Suhwan Lim & Dongjun Kim & Jun Lee & Chang-Hyeon Joh, 2022. "Identifying Different Sources of the Benefit: Simulation of DRT Operation in the Heartland and Hinterland Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Zhao, Chunli & Xue, Mengtian & Hamidi, Zahra, 2024. "Potential of demand responsive transport for young people in Sweden," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Jun Zhang & Jingyi Qin & Jinliang Shao & Jiajun Shen & Bin Lv, 2024. "Collaborative optimization of multi-modal transport solutions for urban-rural bus routes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(10), pages 1-19, October.

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