MODELLING AND OPTIMIZING NETWORK DESIGN OF PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT NETWORK SYSTEM

Abstract

This thesis addresses the challenges arising from the performance evaluation and strategic design of PRT guideway networks, powered by developing network modelling and optimization methods. An aspect of this research is the PRT system performance evaluation. PRT network modelling is dedicated to formulate the PRT network with an analytical model, which is necessary for the network performance evaluation and estimating the network throughput. Another focus is the optimization of guideway network design. Since the PRT guideway network plays an important role in safeguarding a successful PRT implementation, this thesis tackles the problems related to the PRT guideway net- work at both strategic and tactical levels. This research contributes to the literature of the decision making process of PRT design and operation.