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A Cluster-Then-Route Framework for Bike Rebalancing in Free-Floating Bike-Sharing Systems

Author

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  • Jiaqing Sun

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Yulin He

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Jiantong Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

Abstract

Bike-sharing systems suffer from the problem of imbalances in bicycle inventory between areas. In this paper, we investigate the rebalancing problem as it applies to free-floating bike-sharing systems in which the bicycles can be rented and returned almost anywhere. To solve the rebalancing problem efficiently, we propose a framework that includes (1) rebalancing nodes at which requirements for the redistribution (pickup or delivery) of bicycles are determined, (2) “self-balanced” clusters of rebalancing nodes, and (3) bicycle redistribution by service vehicles within each cluster. We propose a multi-period synchronous rebalancing method in which a rebalancing period is divided into several sub-periods. Based on the anticipated redistribution demand at each node in each sub-period, the service vehicle relocates bicycles between nodes. This method improves the efficiency of the system and minimizes rebalancing costs over the entire rebalancing period, rather than for a single sub-period. The proposed framework is tested based on data from the Mobike (Meituan) free-floating bike-sharing system. The test results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies and show that multi-period synchronous rebalancing is superior to single-period rebalancing.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaqing Sun & Yulin He & Jiantong Zhang, 2023. "A Cluster-Then-Route Framework for Bike Rebalancing in Free-Floating Bike-Sharing Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-33, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:15994-:d:1281174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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