The effect of unexpected disruptions and information times on public transport passengers: a simulation study

Abstract

This paper deals with the simulation of unexpected disruptions in public transport in the agent-based transport simulation framework of MATSim. A replanning logic for public transport passengers is implemented so passengers can be informed about and react to a disruption and use an alternative route. An unexpected disruption of an underground line in Berlin is simulated to analyze how passengers are affected by the disruption and the information time. It is shown that transport companies can minimize the negative effects of unplanned disruptions by informing their passengers as soon as possible once the disruption has occurred because travel times increase drastically when passengers are informed late.