Public transport optimisation based on traveller requests and network efficiency

Within TEAM [1] framework, which is an EU research project that envisions an integrated mobility system, where travellers, drivers, vehicles and the infrastructure construct a seamless and sustainable collaborative network, the Collaborative Public Transport Optimisation (CPTO) application is being developed. The main goal of the CPTO application is to improve the flexibility of the transport infrastructure in order to serve dynamically the demand of the cities and the citizens. This application focuses mainly on buses but its model can be extended to other means of transport, as well. This application is closely related to the concept of "Demand Responsive Transport", which intends to serve the needs of modern cities. A public transport operator taking into account the origin and destination information from the travellers together with information about the current traffic situation or event information dynamically adapts the bus timetables and the routes in order to achieve specific goals, like minimizing the delay experienced by the passengers along with the environmental pollution.