Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect

Abstract Aiming at the challenges of peak passenger congestion, user behavior heterogeneity and insufficient network synergy faced by public transportation systems in urbanization, this study proposed the Dynamic Incentive Strategy-Heterogeneous Response Synergy Model (DIS-HARM). The model integrate...

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Main Authors: Yifang Chen, Shunlin Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16632-y
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author Yifang Chen
Shunlin Wang
author_facet Yifang Chen
Shunlin Wang
author_sort Yifang Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aiming at the challenges of peak passenger congestion, user behavior heterogeneity and insufficient network synergy faced by public transportation systems in urbanization, this study proposed the Dynamic Incentive Strategy-Heterogeneous Response Synergy Model (DIS-HARM). The model integrated reinforcement learning, user heterogeneity modeling and small-world network synergy mechanism, adjusted the carbon credit intensity in real time by dynamic incentive generator, quantified the diminishing marginal utility effect of incentives for high-income groups by combining elastic user identifiers, and designed weather attenuation coefficients to optimize the spread of social influence. Simulation results showed that DIS-HARM significantly improves system efficiency and fairness: the peak hour passenger flow reduction rate reaches 72.2% (2.5% higher than the static strategy), the average peak hourly cost is reduced by 3.125%, and 36.5% of the incentive resources are tilted to the low-income group (83.1% coverage rate) at the same time. The model provided a theoretical tool for dynamic pricing and differentiated incentive strategies for urban transportation management, helping to achieve the dual goals of green travel and social equity.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-06c65a7463cc441cbeff8ecd6ef536a92025-08-24T11:24:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-16632-yOptimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effectYifang Chen0Shunlin Wang1Office of Academic Affairs, Ningbo Polytechnic UniversitySchool of Supply-Chain Administration, Ningbo Polytechnic UniversityAbstract Aiming at the challenges of peak passenger congestion, user behavior heterogeneity and insufficient network synergy faced by public transportation systems in urbanization, this study proposed the Dynamic Incentive Strategy-Heterogeneous Response Synergy Model (DIS-HARM). The model integrated reinforcement learning, user heterogeneity modeling and small-world network synergy mechanism, adjusted the carbon credit intensity in real time by dynamic incentive generator, quantified the diminishing marginal utility effect of incentives for high-income groups by combining elastic user identifiers, and designed weather attenuation coefficients to optimize the spread of social influence. Simulation results showed that DIS-HARM significantly improves system efficiency and fairness: the peak hour passenger flow reduction rate reaches 72.2% (2.5% higher than the static strategy), the average peak hourly cost is reduced by 3.125%, and 36.5% of the incentive resources are tilted to the low-income group (83.1% coverage rate) at the same time. The model provided a theoretical tool for dynamic pricing and differentiated incentive strategies for urban transportation management, helping to achieve the dual goals of green travel and social equity.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16632-yReinforcement learningNetwork synergyPublic transportationDynamic incentivesStrategiesUser heterogeneity
spellingShingle Yifang Chen
Shunlin Wang
Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
Scientific Reports
Reinforcement learning
Network synergy
Public transportation
Dynamic incentives
Strategies
User heterogeneity
title Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
title_full Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
title_fullStr Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
title_short Optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
title_sort optimization of dynamic incentive strategies for public transportation based on reinforcement learning and network synergy effect
topic Reinforcement learning
Network synergy
Public transportation
Dynamic incentives
Strategies
User heterogeneity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16632-y
work_keys_str_mv AT yifangchen optimizationofdynamicincentivestrategiesforpublictransportationbasedonreinforcementlearningandnetworksynergyeffect
AT shunlinwang optimizationofdynamicincentivestrategiesforpublictransportationbasedonreinforcementlearningandnetworksynergyeffect