Bus Route Segmentation for Performance Optimization Using Geographical Mapping Tools

Abstract

The European Green Deal sets the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and one of its key challenges is the decarbonization of cities. Because of the continuously increasing urban migration levels, efficient and sustainable public transport systems are essential for managing urban growth and improving the livability of cities. For this purpose, electric vehicles represent a long-term solution to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the deployment of all-electric public transport systems involves complex requirements, making plug-in hybrid electric buses a more viable and immediate alternative. These buses are capable of seamlessly alternating between an internal combustion engine and an electric motor using geo-fencing technology to alleviate tailpipe emissions. Nevertheless, the topography of roads significantly influences the energy consumption of electric vehicles. This paper presents a novel web service for automatic bus line route segmentation by integrating multiple routing APIs, allowing users to visualize segmented bus routes and illustrate altitude changes to aid municipal authorities in studying public transport systems. The information generated can be used to determine the optimal battery management strategy for each bus line, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and mitigating the environmental and livability impact of urban transport.