A new bus transit planning tool is developed for application in determining operating policies of a fixed-route bus transit system. The objective of the study is to model a bus transit system which functions under time-varying passenger demands and service characteristics.

The two phase transit model developed in this research is intended for use as a mass transit planning tool, to solve transit problems confronting the mass transit planner. The model is used to compute cost differentials in transit system options. These alternatives of expanding, abandoning or modifying service depend upon the service frequency, fleet size and other system attributes such as operating speed, delay, passenger demand and relevant cost factors.

The model is formulated in two phases, jointly utilizing linear and dynamic programming techniques. It is directed toward optimizing transit operation during one period and then aggregating each operation over the range of transit service periods. The basic components of system function to be optimized (minimal total cost) include such variables as bus operating and ownership costs, passenger costs in terms of walking, riding, and transfer times as well as bus fares.

The transit model has been programmed for a digital computer. This model requires inputs of existing street configuration and bus routes, bus schedules, speed and delay data for street networks, fare structure, load factor and passenger Origin-Destination information for different periods.

A practical application of the transit model is presented in the format of a case study. This application illustrates the utilization of the methodology for deriving bus transit operating policies and the consideration of planning alternatives. The result of a comparison of these policies and alternatives is a significant reduction in the total system cost.

Special emphasis has been given to the analysis of the structural elements involved in a transit system as well as new transit planning techniques. There follows a summation of the findings and the implications of the results. This summary includes an appraisal of the model as to its limitations as well as recommendations for future research. The appendix, finally, lists a summary of notations review of previous research, flow charts and listings of computer programs, supplemental data, computer input and output files, and an annotated bibliography containing current literature concerning the operation and planning of public transportation.