Increasingly metros are re-thinking traditional timetable-based operations and adopting more flexible, real-time service models that focus on maintaining even headways rather than adhering strictly to scheduled arrival times.
The study explores the application of headway-based operations across COMET metros. It identifies how metros are using headway-based control in regular service as well as during disruptions, highlighting the key benefits and common use cases. It also examines how metros operating timetable-based models regulate service spacing and maintain regularity in practice.
The study was proposed by New York City Transit and draws on survey responses from 36 participating metros. The report primarily focuses on metros that operate with fully headway-based control or hybrid models. However, it also examined how metros running to a timetable manage real-time service delivery and respond to bunching and irregularity.