Bus Route Sketching: A Multimetric Analysis from the User’s and Operator’s Perspectives

The purpose of this study is to develop an optimal bus route search algorithm that considers both the user’s and supplier’s perspectives. The process of providing bus route service involves route network design, route allocation, and operation and management in sequence. Among these, establishing the optimal rationality for route network design in practical applications is challenging, and route modifications often occur during the operation process. To minimize these practical difficulties, this study proposes the Bus Route Sketch (BRS) methodology. This methodology, designed for network-level optimization, distinguishes itself from existing bus route setting methodologies by minimizing travel costs while taking user needs into account. This study yielded positive results, with the evaluation score improving from 8.83 to 9.50 from the supplier’s perspective and from 7.13 to 9.89 from the user’s perspective. This BRS methodology, developed to suit both route planning and operation processes, is expected to be utilized in the practical evaluation, adjustment, and design of bus routes.