Track: Undergraduate Research Competition

Abstract

Public transportation is vital for societal well-being, impacting economic, social, and environmental aspects. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, an urban traffic solution, requires effective strategies. To address the traffic problem in Ho Chi Minh City, BRT implementation has been proposed, specifically for the Vo Van Kiet - Mai Chi Tho boulevards as a pilot. However, there are scant assessments on how this system should be implemented effectively, especially by simulation approach, which could help to test different scenarios, saving huge amounts of money and time for actual operation.   In this study, we use discrete event simulation to explore different scenarios for implementing a BRT system in the case of Vo Van Kiet - Mai Chi Tho boulevards in Ho Chi Minh City. Simulation optimization via OpQuest in ARENA is used to suggest the best operation plan in terms of the number of buses, speed, and waiting time. In addition, Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches are also employed to evaluate the solution priorities. This study offers a practical framework for decision-makers to solve the urban mobility challenges.