1. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Schedule Building
Public Transport Service
& Operations Planning :
An Introduction

2. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’?
Why is Schedule Building Important?
Passengers
Provide dependable travel
Provide information to travelers
Operator
Deploy vehicles and operators
Maximize operating efficiency
Understand trade-offs between efficiencies and passenger crowding and waiting times

3. Importance of Schedule Building to Government (All Levels)
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Importance of Schedule Building to Government (All Levels)
Impact of government policies on:
Operating efficiencies
Profitability
Subsidies
Passenger level of service

4. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Schedule Building A Five-Step Process
Determine Headways (Frequencies)
Prepare Headway Table (Specific Trips)
Create Vehicle Assignments (Blocking)
Create Driver Assignments (Run Cutting)
5. Estimate Driver Requirements (Rostering)
Headway

5. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Demand Headway
Demand headway
Based on observed (forecast) demand
Efficiency point-of-view
Policy headway
Maximum headway regardless of demand
Policy set either by:
Government (public policy)
Operator (marketing concerns)
Headway

6. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Demand Headway
Provide sufficient vehicles to meet passenger demand
Headway =
Time Period
Passengers at Maximum Load Point
Occupancy Rate x Seating Capacity

7. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Maximum Load Profile for Radial Route

8. Occupancy Rate and Seating Capacity
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Occupancy Rate and Seating Capacity
Operating Period
Occupancy Rate
Seats
Acceptable Passenger Capacity
Crush Peak
2.0 40 80
Peak
1.5 60
Base
1.0

9. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Application of Demand Headway Equation
Time Period
Passengers at Maximum Load Point
Occupancy Rate x Seating Capacity
Term
Comments
Sample Value
Time Period
Period of Observation (e.g., 1 hour) 60
Passengers at Maximum Load Point
Number of people on the bus at the point at which the most people are onboard
960
Occupancy Rate
Time period value selected
2.0
Seating Capacity
Seats per bus 40
Passenger Capacity
Occupancy Rate X Seating Capacity
(2.0 X 40) 80
Frequency
Passengers at Maximum Load Point (960)
Occupancy Rate X Seating Capacity (80)
12 buses
Demand Headway
Headway = (60)
Frequency (12)
5 minutes

10. Demand Headway Calculations Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Demand Headway Calculations Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Time Period
Passengers at Maximum Load Point
Seating Capacity
Occupancy Rate
Demand Headway
6:00 AM —
7:00 AM
240 40
1.5 15
8:00 AM
600
2.0 8
9:00 AM
400 9
10:00 AM
200
1.0 12
11:00 AM
100 24
12:00 PM 90 27

11. Policy Headway Adjustments Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Policy Headway Adjustments Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Time Period
Demand Headway
Policy Headway
Adjusted Headway
6:00 AM —
7:00 AM 15 20
8:00 AM 8 10
9:00 AM 9
10:00 AM 12
11:00 AM 24
12:00 PM 27

12. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Prepare Headway Table
Develop line specification
Determine key arrival (departure) times at key market location
Determine arrival (departure) times of trips at the key market location
Add (subtract) running times to determine arrival/departure times at other time points

13. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Develop Line Specification
Alignment
Regular/variations
Headway
Peak
Base
Span of service
Workdays
Saturday (non-work)
Sunday (Friday)/ holidays
One-way running time
Peak
Base
Key Market Location
Center City
Other generators

14. Line Specification Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Line Specification Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Span of Service
M/SA: 5:30 AM — 10:30 PM
S/H:9:00 AM — 5:30 PM
One-Way Running Time
Peak: 25 Minutes
Base: 25 Minutes
Key Market Location
KBS
Alignment
Headway
Peak: 10 Minutes
(7:00-9:00 AM;
4:30-6:30 PM)
Base: 20 Minutes

15. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Determine Arrival (Departure) Times at the Schedule Building Point Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Inbound Trips KBS
Trip Number
Arrival Time
Headway
Next Trip 1
6:00 AM 20
6:20 AM 2
6:40 AM 3
7:00 AM 4 10
7:10 AM 5
7:20 AM 6
7:30 AM 7
7:40 AM

16. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Inbound Trips City Market
Determine Arrival/Departure Times at Other Time Points Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Inbound Trips City Market
Trip Number
Departure Time
Running Time
Arrival Time 1
5:35 AM 25
6:00 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM 4
6:35 AM
7:00 AM 5
6:45 AM
7:10 AM 6
6:55 AM
7:20 AM 7
7:05 AM
7:30 AM

17. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Create Vehicle Assignments (Blocking)
Blocks also known as Bus Schedules in India
Link trips together at a common terminal point
Sometimes involves “deadheading” equipment between routes
Match arrival and departure times at a terminal, allowing for "layover”
Make minor schedule modifications (where necessary) to achieve good linkages

18. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Options for Linking Trips
Terminal
Bus Interlining
Bus on Same Route

19. Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Vehicles Required ≤ Blocks?
A vehicle assignment (job) that includes:
Depot "Pull-Out“
Assigned bus trips
Depot "Pull-In”
Vehicles Required
Less than/equal to total number of daily blocks
Why?
One vehicle could cover non-overlapping AM and PM blocks

20. Example of Vehicle Blocking Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Example of Vehicle Blocking Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
10:00 AM
10:05 AM
10:30 AM
10:35 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

21. Creation of Block 1 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Creation of Block 1 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

22. Creation of Block 2 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Creation of Block 2 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

23. Creation of Block 3 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Creation of Block 3 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

24. Creation of Block 4 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Creation of Block 4 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM 4
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

25. Creation of Block 5 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Creation of Block 5 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM 4
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM 5
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

26. Creation of Block 6 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Creation of Block 6 Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM 4
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM 5
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM 6
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal

27. The Basic Planning Formula Works!
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
The Basic Planning Formula Works!
Time Period
Cycle Time (Minutes)
Headway (Minutes)
Buses in Service
Base 60 20 3
Peak 10 6

28. Vehicle Block Platform Time (Vehicle Hours)
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Vehicle Block Platform Time (Vehicle Hours)
The total time the vehicle is away from the depot (Pull-Out to Pull-In)
Dead time
Revenue time
Running time
Layover/recovery time

29. Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Pull Out 6:35 AM
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM 4
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM 5
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal
Pull in 8:50 AM

30. Example of Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Example of Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Time
Start
End
Total
Revenue
6:45 AM
8:40 AM
1:55
Dead
Depot to Terminal
6:35 AM
0:10
Terminal to Depot
8:50 AM
Vehicle Block Platform
2:15
A “short” vehicle block
Poor equipment utilization
Daily (2:15) although pair with PM
Revenue/Platform = 1:55/2:15 = 85%

31. Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Pull Out 5:25 AM
Block Number
Depart Bang Jail
Arrive KBS
Depart KBS1
Arrive Bang Jail
Time Ready for Next Trip1 1
5:35 AM
6:00 AM
6:05 AM
6:30 AM
6:35 AM 2
5:55 AM
6:20 AM
6:25 AM
6:50 AM
6:55 AM 3
6:15 AM
6:40 AM
6:45 AM
7:10 AM
7:15 AM
7:00 AM
7:05 AM
7:30 AM
7:35 AM 4
7:40 AM
7:45 AM
7:20 AM
7:25 AM
7:50 AM
7:55 AM 5
8:00 AM
8:05 AM
8:10 AM
8:15 AM
8:20 AM
8:25 AM
8:30 AM
8:35 AM
8:40 AM
8:45 AM
8:50 AM
8:55 AM
9:00 AM
9:05 AM
9:10 AM
9:15 AM
9:20 AM
9:25 AM
9:30 AM
9:35 AM
9:50 AM
9:55 AM
9:40 AM
9:45 AM
10:10 AM
10:15 AM
15 minute layover at each route terminal
Pull in 10:40 PM

32. Example of Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Example of Vehicle Block Platform Time Route 347F Bangalore Jail/KBS
Start
End
Total
Revenue
5:35 AM
10:30 PM
16:55
Dead
Depot to Terminal
5:25 AM
0:10
Terminal to Depot
10:40 PM
Vehicle Block Platform
17:15
A “long” vehicle block
Good equipment utilization
Daily (17:15)
Revenue/Platform = 16:55/17:15 = 98%

33. Strategies Used to Reduce Dead Time
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Strategies Used to Reduce Dead Time
Locate depots close to route starting points
e.g. Depot 7 located next to KBS station in Bangalore
Schedule drivers to sleep in vehicles at suburban end of last evening trip

34. Create Driver Assignments (Run Cutting)
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Create Driver Assignments (Run Cutting) 4
Run is an operator assignment
Basic objective is to minimize driver costs
Need to know:
Types of runs
Labor practices

35. Types of Runs Buses in Service AM Peak Midday PM Peak Driver 2:
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Types of Runs
Driver 2:
Split Run
Driver 1:
Straight Run
Buses in Service
AM Peak
Midday
PM Peak

36. Labor Practices Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ Wage rates by seniority
Starting pay may be less than senior rate
e.g. BMTC less than 40%
Top rate achieved after years of service
e.g. BMTC at 15 years
Overtime premium paid after X hours
e.g. BMTC “double-time” paid after 8 hours
Assignment implications (if possible)
Assign “no overtime” shifts to senior drivers
Assign overtime shifts to junior drivers

37. Estimate Driver Requirements (Rostering)
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’ 5
Estimate Driver Requirements (Rostering)
Total Driver Requirements are the Sum of:
Regular Drivers
Extra Board Drivers

38. Example of Driver Calculation
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Example of Driver Calculation
Schedule
Daily Runs
Days per Week
Driver Runs
Monday-Saturday
203 6
1,218
Sunday
154 1
Total
1,372
Drivers Required =
Total Weekly Driver Runs /
6 Weekly Runs per Driver
1,372 / 6
229
The same approach can be applied to conductors 38

39. Estimate Extra Board (Spare Crew) Requirements Based on Absences
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Estimate Extra Board (Spare Crew) Requirements Based on Absences
Monday-Saturday
Sunday
Scheduled Runs
203
154
Absence Rate
0.09
0.11
Initial Extra Board 19 17
"Board for Board" 2
Final Daily Needs 21
The same approach can be applied to conductors

40. Example of Extra Board Calculation
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Example of Extra Board Calculation
Schedule
Daily Runs
Days per Week
Driver Runs
Monday-Saturday 21 6
126
Sunday 19 1
Total
145
Drivers Required =
Total Weekly Driver Runs /
6 Weekly Runs per Driver
145 / 6 25
The same approach can be applied to conductors 40

41. Example of Total Driver Calculation
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Example of Total Driver Calculation
Schedule
Daily Runs
Days per Week
Driver Runs
Regular
Extra Bd
Total
Monday-Saturday
203 21
224 6
1,344
Sunday
154 19
173 1
1,517
Drivers Required =
Total Weekly Driver Runs /
6 Weekly Runs per Driver
1,517 / 6
253
The same approach can be applied to conductors

42. Computers Often Are Used in Schedule Building
Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Computers Often Are Used in Schedule Building
Labor saving for repetitive tasks
Preparation of headway table
Creation of vehicle blocks
Creation of driver and conductor runs
Transfer data to software for:
Paper schedules for passengers
Interactive passenger trip planners
Internet or station
Optimization of run cuts
Important when complicated work rules

43. Summary Sample ‘Scheduling Process’
Described the five-step schedule building process
Remember, scheduling is important to:
Operators (efficiency and passenger considerations)
Passengers (reliability) and