Pilot simulation for public passenger transport energy consumption

Abstract

The knowledge of the variables that impact energy consumption allows for a better understanding of how to mitigate energy consumption and emissions production for public passenger transport. The current operation of public passenger transport in a large city with unregulated types of public passenger transport, as seen in developing countries, causes an increase in energy consumption and emissions generation. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to propose a pilot simulation that investigates the direct impact of public passenger transport operations on energy consumption. This will enable the incorporation of multiple variables, such as rim radius, tire characteristics, vehicle weight, road gradient, air density, and drag coefficient, as well as developing countries’ public transport characteristics. The study reveals that frequent stops every 100 m lead to the highest energy consumption due to the continuous acceleration and deceleration that this entails. Conversely, wider stop spacings of 250, 350, 500, and 1,000 m result in progressively reduced energy usage. However, it is crucial to balance efficiency gains with passenger needs and service convenience, emphasizing the importance of tailored planning and optimization strategies in urban transport management. The observed differences in energy consumption across various stop spacings emphasize the need to consider this factor when proposing improvement measures for public transport systems. The current energy consumption estimates account for initial and final speeds only, suggesting that further reductions might be achieved by incorporating additional variables. This comprehensive approach is essential for developing feasible solutions aimed at minimizing energy consumption in public passenger transport. Additionally, future simulations will integrate emission estimation scripts and measures such as lane delineation, the promotion of efficient driving behaviors, and the implementation of robust maintenance plans, which will also be integral to optimizing energy efficiency.