Research on bus route optimization based on a higher-order network model

In recent years, the state has issued a series of policies to encourage the priority development of public transport. But the expanding size of cities and growing population pose a major challenge for public transportation. In this paper, we study the urban bus system with the non-Markovian higher-order network model considering the path-dependent characteristics for the first time. An empirical study on the bus transport of Xi'an(BT-X) system was conducted. The theoretical higher-order bus transport network(THBTN) is established, and the improved weighted k-core decomposition method based on the road grade, subway connection, the number of POI within the service area, and the population density is proposed. It is used to divide the THBTN into the core layer, bridge layer and periphery layer. We analyse the importance of bus stops. Twenty two important bus stops in the BT-X system are discovered and ranked. On this basis, the problem is found in the bus network of Xi'an: poor interconnectivity between important hub stations. Therefore, forty four routes are found to be required to interchange at intermediate stops, which gives a route optimization plan for BT-X system. The research method of this paper can be applied to the optimization of bus routes in other cities, with a view to solving the interchange problem of urban bus systems in China.