Strategic Evaluation of Rapid Transit Personal Mobility Systems: Economic Viability, and Operational Efficiency

This paper focuses on optimizing the design, evaluating performance, and conducting initial economic feasibility assessments of Rapid Transit Personal Mobility (RTPM) systems used as Public Transport (PT). RTPM systems operate at higher speeds compared to Conventional Public Transport (CPT) modes and provide direct services from origins to destinations, aiming to meet passenger travel demands efficiently. This system consists of Personal Mobility Autonomous Vehicles (PMAVs) and Power Units (PUs), which operate underground, similar to metro services. The proposed optimal design for the RTPM system is assessed in comparison with CPT, considering factors such as passenger travel demands, wait times, and operator revenues under various budget and headway scenarios. A mixed integer linear programming model is devised to minimize unserved passenger demand and wait times experienced by passengers, while simultaneously maximizing operator revenues. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through a numerical example, highlighting the advantages of the RTPM system over CPT.