A Study on Optimization of Dead Kilometer: Case of Istanbul Metrobus (BRT) System

Fuel cost is one of the biggest expense item in urban wheeled public transport. Aside from the fuel being very expensive, expenses created by movements without passengers (journeys from the depot to the beginning of the line/the end of the line, and vice versa), and the presence of expenses referred to as dead kilometer in the literature are important factors that result in fuel costs to be high.

According to the data obtained from General Directorate of IETT Operations, dead kilometers comprise a significant portion of the kilometers that are realized. With this study, it has been aimed to reduce dead kilometers by making changes in the line-depot matching by using optimization techniques. Scope of the study is the lines and depots under the execution, management and control of General Directorate of IETT Operations that provide public transport service on the BRT (Bus Rapit Transit) system.