A multiobjective model for passenger train services planning: application to Taiwan's high-speed rail line

This paper develops a multiobjective programming model for the optimal allo cation of passenger train services on an intercity high-speed rail line wit hout branches. Minimizing the operator's total operating cost and minimizin g the passenger's total travel time loss are the two planning objectives of the model. For a given many-to-many travel demand and a specified operatin g capacity, the model is solved by a fuzzy mathematical programming approac h to determine the best-compromise train service plan, including the train stop-schedule plan, service frequency, and fleet size. An empirical study o n the to-be-built high-speed rail system in Taiwan is conducted to demonstr ate the effectiveness of the model. The case study shows that an optimal se t of stop-schedules can always be generated for a given travel demand. To a chieve the best planning outcome, the number and type of stop-schedules sho uld be flexibly planned, and not constrained by specific stopping schemes a s often set by the planner. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.