This paper focuses on a new method to compute fitness function (ff) values
in genetic algorithms for bus network optimization. In the proposed methodo
logy, a genetic algorithm is used to generate iteratively new populations (
sets of bus networks). Each member of the population is evaluated by comput
ing a number of performance indicators obtained by the analysis of the assi
gnment of the O/D demand associated to the considered networks. Thus, ff va
lues are computed by means of a multicriteria analysis executed on the perf
ormance indicators so found. The goal is to design a heuristic that allows
to achieve the best bus network satisfying both the demand and the offer of
transport. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.