Recent Advances in Demand Responsive Transport: Opportunities with Autonomous Bus Service - A System-of-Systems Overview

This study explores recent advancements in emerging technologies for Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) and the potential integration of autonomous bus services. We investigate the history and current state of research in this f ield, expanding the discussion to the era of Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM), with a particular focus on mass transit. We categorise the key components of modern DRT services from various perspectives, including utilised vehicles, infrastructure, devices, simulation approaches, decision-making algorithms, and optimisation factors. Each of these elements is discussed in detail, and comprehensive comparative tables are provided to enable readers to easily trace and understand the results. Our findings highlight the significant interest and ongoing research in this promising technology. We emphasise the common practices and similarities across studies while identifying areas for improvement. To further this analysis, we propose a Systemof-Systems (SoS) approach to evaluate the current maturity of DRT technologies, similar to our ongoing project. A System Readiness Level (SRL) analysis is conducted by identifying the constituent systems within the DRT SoS and determining their Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and Integration Readiness Levels (IRLs). Finally, we present an analysis of DRT service applications in a specific use case: the Mayland Business area in Hertfordshire County, UK. This paper serves as a valuable reference for addressing various aspects of DRT in mass transit, particularly with the application of automated bus services. The study sheds light on the current state of research in this field and identifies opportunities for deploying DRT as a cost-effective solution for enhancing sustainability in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).