Schematic Bus Transit Maps for the web using genetic algorithms

Abstract

The octilinear schematic map, layout recognized worldwide in metro maps, is an important transit informative tool. This research investigates how algorithms for the visualization of schematic maps can be availed in mobile web devices context in order to empower the efficiency in transmitting information of bus transit maps. A genetic algorithm for path octilinear schematization technique has been used and tested to create the schematic data. Location-based and interactivity functionalities were embedded to the resulting digital maps in order to create personalized maps to meet specific user needs. A prototype of a web application and real transit data of the city of Castellón in Spain was used to test the methodology. The results have shown that real time schematizations open possibilities concerning usability that add extra value to schematic transit maps. Additionally, suggested improvements have been made to the genetic algorithm and performance tests show that genetic algorithms are adequate, in terms of efficiency, to sketch bus transit maps automatically.