Traffic dynamics of automated transit systems with pre-established schedules

The authors examine the traffic dynamics of automated transit systems in which a fixed number of vehicles are operated according to a preestablished schedule along a single loop track with on-line stations. After discussing some roles of margin in the schedule, they propose a traffic control algorithm under disordered operation together with criteria for the system performance. Several simulations are executed to examine the traffic dynamics and to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed control algorithm. A detailed passenger flow model is included in the simulator which gives the exact number of passengers, both in vehicles and at stations.