A simulation-based study to improve campus shuttle services

• Main Author: Lim, Jason Yong Han.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Industrial engineering::Operations research
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39527
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project examines the feasibility of implementing a simulation model to represent the queuing model of bus stops for the shuttle buses in NTU, in order to investigate the impact on costs and service levels of making changes to the current system. FLEXSIM, a simulation software for manufacturing industries, was used to create the simulation model for the entire shuttle bus service in NTU. This report documents the different simulated results of average passenger waiting times and total monthly cost for different changes made to the current shuttle bus service. To begin with the project, a literature review was first given to provide background information pertaining to simulation modelling, queuing theories, FLEXSIM simulation software, as well as the explanation on the current shuttle bus service. The types of data to be collected, as well as the methods of data collection were then discussed and shown. These were followed by a comprehensive explanation on the details of how the collected data were implemented in the simulation model, the process flow of each component in the simulation model, and the settings of the different components in the simulation model. Finally, the different simulated costs and average passenger waiting times from different combinations of buses of each route were found and compared against that of the current existing system. Recommendations on feasible changes to the current system, as well as improvements for future work were also introduced.