Identifying main center access hubs in a city using capacity and time criteria. The evolutionary approach

In this paper we consider the well known Hub and Spoke problem, analyzed in the context of Warsaw Public Transport System. Our method was designed for data preprocessing so as to allow using a timetable obtained from the public transport web site after conversion into the required data format. A dedicated evolutionary algorithm method that detects the hubs of almost all available transport means was also developed. The hubs identified are well connected to the center of the city and to other identified hubs (characterized by high capacity or short travel time). These hubs may become the skeleton of the public transport system and, in particular, good points for locating Park and Ride facilities.