Bus route optimization with PTV Lines: Success in Bavaria

Introduction

Bus route optimization: Let’s discover how transport authorities can use digital tools to achieve it. Digitizing public transport planning is a key factor in achieving positive mobility change. By using modern technology and data analytics, transport authorities can create more efficient, accessible and environmentally friendly systems. One such example is the innovative work of AMINA, a young public transport operator established in 2021 to improve bus services in the Untermain region of Bavaria, Germany.

AMINA’s Mission and Challenges

AMINA (Aschaffenburg Miltenberg Nahverkehrs-GmbH) is a joint initiative of the districts of Aschaffenburg and Miltenberg and the city of Aschaffenburg. The company took over services previously provided by local authorities and private bus operators.

AMINA’s mission extends beyond the provision of bus services to include bus route optimization, the development of timetables, and the transition to environmentally friendly engines. AMINA also acts as a regional data hub, integrating traffic data from all modes of transportation to ensure cohesive and multimodal planning.

Like other transportation associations, AMINA also faces some challenges. Among them are the decline in the profitability of bus operations and the increase in the demands being placed on public transport management.

The Power of Remosi: A Regional Traffic Model

Central to AMINA’s strategy is the Remosi traffic model, developed using the advanced capabilities of PTV Visum, the leading transport planning software. The Remosi model offers:

Multimodal Integration: The model integrates data from buses, roads, and other transport modes to facilitate comprehensive analyses of interdependencies.

Detailed Regional Insights: With a granular breakdown to the level of individual neighborhoods, the model provides data-driven foundations for transport planning and forecasting.

Flexibility and Precision: Utilizing cutting-edge algorithms, Remosi accurately models the impact of proposed changes on traffic patterns, environmental outcomes, and economic performance.

Bus route optimization with PTV Software

AMINA uses two primary PTV tools to maximize the potential of the Remosi model:

1. PTV Visum: This macroscopic modeling tool enables in-depth analysis of supply and demand models, offering features such as:
   
   • Visualization and classification of network attributes, such as speed zones.
   • Modeling passenger behavior changes, including mode shifts.
   • Integration of real-world data, such as automated passenger counts, for enhanced accuracy.
   • Environmental impact assessments using HBEFA emissions factors.
     
     
2. PTV Lines: As a web-based pre-planning tool, PTV Lines simplifies the design and analysis of bus routes and timetables:
   
   • Displays bus stop and route information graphically for easy scenario planning.
   • Allows dynamic modifications, such as rerouting buses or introducing new lines.
   • Facilitates collaboration among stakeholders through a user-friendly interface.

AMINA purchased both tools under the DkV program (“Digitalization of Municipal Transport Systems”) of the German Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Transport.

Data Integration and Accessibility

The success of AMINA’s transport planning relies on its ability to integrate and manage diverse data sources. Thanks to the support of PTV software, AMINA has established seamless data interfaces to import and analyze GTFS and VDV-compliant datasets. This enables it to

• accurate updates of schedules and passenger data.
  
• comprehensive evaluations of planned changes, such as new express bus routes.
  
• sharing insights with other regional stakeholders, fostering a unified approach to mobility.

Real-World Applications

AMINA’s first major project under this framework was the planning of an express bus line between Aschaffenburg and the town of Marktheidenfeld. Leveraging PTV Visum and PTV Lines, the team was able to:

• Incorporate new routes and schedules into the Remosi model.
  
• Analyze the impact of proposed changes on travel times, passenger demand, and operational costs.
  
• Optimize services to meet environmental and economic objectives.

To see how bus network redesign plays out in other places, check out this story from Winnipeg, Canada.

Strategic Planning for the Future

The insights generated by PTV software are instrumental for updating AMINA’s local transport plan. This strategic document outlines the framework for public transport development, ensuring sustainable solutions are implemented to meet future demands.

The continuous updates to the Remosi model provide decision-makers with robust and up-to-date information to assess the impacts of various initiatives.

Conclusion

AMINA’s journey highlights the transformative power of digital tools in public transport planning. By investing in PTV Visum and PTV Lines, the service company has built a foundation for data-driven decision-making, enabling it to:

• Enhance public transport accessibility and efficiency.
• Foster collaboration across regional stakeholders.
• Address environmental and mobility challenges proactively.

PTV Group’s software solutions are at the heart of this success, providing the technological backbone for a future-proof public transport system that meets the evolving needs of citizens and the environment alike. AMINA’s example underscores the vital role of innovation in shaping the mobility systems of tomorrow.