DETERMINING APPROPRIATE FARE LEVELS FOR DISTANCEBASED FARE STRUCTURE CONSIDERING USERS’ BEHAVIORS IN A TIME EXPANDED NETWORK

摘要

This research investigates the potential of a distance-based fare structure by way of a case study using the Utah Transit Authority system in Northern Utah. The metrics of evaluation are viewed through demand maximization within a modeling scheme for a distance-based fare structure for all fixed route transit modes. The transit users’ route choices are explicitly modeled in the transit system on the time-expanded network. This modeling scheme is integrated into the lower level of the bi-level programming framework where the upper level uncovers the optimized fare levels for the distance-based fare structure using a genetic algorithm. Through the implementation of the methodology, the distance-based fare levels are evaluated for their effect on increasing transit demand. Using the market segmentation analysis, the study found that a distance-based fare with a no base fare has the highest potential for increasing the transit demand. A 50 cent base fare was examined and shown to be feasible in the case that a base fare is not necessary due to agency policy.