Vehicle cycle hierarchization model to determine the order of battery electric bus deployment in public transport

Battery electric buses (BEBs) are gaining ground in public transport, and the next decade is likely to witness a further increase in the numbers of these vehicles. The core problem of the BEB deployment process in public transport lies in how to deal with the technical limitations of this technology (primarily, a limited range of a bus). This paper outlines the model of vehicle cycle hierarchization dedicated to municipal transport planners and transit companies. The model is based on a multicriteria decision-making methodology that results in a hierarchy of vehicle cycles, ordered from the most to the least suitable to be operated by electric buses. The proof-of-principle demonstration of the model has been carried out in the Polish medium-sized city of Jaworzno.