Abstract
Solution method for routing problems called "dial-a-ride problems" (DARP) can be applied to the creation of service plans for on-demand buses. This study suggests that it may be possible to formulate more efficient operating routes that improve on the existing best solution for DARP, by using a solution method devised by the authors. The effectiveness of adopting this method was estimated by looking at the Nakamura-machi Bus, and the observed effect was a roughly 10% reduction in operating routes. This result shows that the proposed method is likely to be effective for reducing costs when used for on-demand bus service planning.
