Optibus Blog

Akita City, Japan, to redesign citywide public transportation network using Optibus

Written by Abigail Levner | December 12, 2023

Optibus' application as a citywide optimization technology is growing in popularity in cities around the world. Now, Optibus has been selected as the software solution for redesigning the local public transportation network of Akita City, Japan.

Akita City, Japan

Project Background

Located on the coast of the Sea of Japan, Akita City is home to just over 300,000 residents and is the capital of the Akita prefecture.

In line with the third edition of Akita City’s Public Transportation Policy Vision, published in March 2021, Akita City is working to establish a more sustainable public transportation network. Optibus has been selected as the digital planning and scheduling solution for transforming that network to improve efficiency and optimize the redesign of route plans, timetables, and vehicle counts. 

Network redesign and optimization will also help Akita City to account for challenges when reimagining sustainability, including driver shortages and changes in ridership demand due to demographic changes such as a shrinking population and aging society.

Optibus’ Scheduling software will help calculate the optimal number of vehicles needed to run services for the redesign of Akita City’s public transportation network.  

 

The Optibus solution: Optimizing vehicle count and support for consensus building with bus operators

Another challenge that Optibus will help resolve is issues surrounding transparency into the optimal vehicle count needed to run services efficiently.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) and optimization algorithms, Optibus’ software will calculate the number of vehicles needed to realize services based on Akita City’s operational standards and passenger demand, resulting in a more effective network redesign and improved discussions with local bus operators.

By introducing the Optibus software, it also becomes possible to create multiple planning scenarios for the redesign and compare the results, enabling more data-driven decisions that produce a more sustainable public transportation system using fewer vehicles.

In addition to supplying the optimization technology for the network’s transformation, Optibus’ global team of transportation technology experts will work with Akita City to establish new approaches and frameworks for overcoming common redesign challenges.

 

Click here to connect with a representative to learn how Optibus can support the

transformation of your transportation network.