This paper explores an important problem under the domain of network modeling, the optimal configuration of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) in urban networks considering EV users’ daily activities and charging behavior. This study proposes a charging behavior simulation model considering different initial state of charge (SOC), travel distance, availability of home chargers, and the daily schedule of trips for each traveler. The proposed charging behavior simulation model examines the complete chain of trips for EV users as well as the interdependency of trips traveled by each driver. The problem of finding the optimum charging configuration is then formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem that considers the dynamics of travel time and travel distance, the interdependency of trips made by each driver, limited range of EVs, remaining battery capacity for recharging, waiting time in queue, and detour to access a charging station. This problem is solved using a metaheuristic approach for a large-scale case network. A series of examples are presented to demonstrate the model efficacy and explore the impact of energy consumption on the final SOC and the optimum charging infrastructure.

This research presents a comprehensive framework for optimizing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along the Lake Michigan circuit (LMC) in Michigan to support ecotourism, considering both slow charging at destinations and fast charging along the corridor. The framework identifies the optimum location and number of Level 2 chargers and Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC), using heuristic algorithms. The study evaluates infrastructure planning based on four key objectives: (1) minimizing overall charging infrastructure costs, (2) reducing grid network upgrade costs, (3) providing an acceptable level of service to long-distance travelers using DCFCs by minimizing queuing delays and deviations from their intended routes, and (4) minimizing unserved charging demand at Level 2 chargers, which reduces redirection to DCFC and consequently mitigates battery degradation. The integration of Level 2 and DCFC networks facilitates strategic investment by effectively managing charging demand, allowing unserved Level 2 demand to be accommodated at DCFC stations while adhering to budgetary constraints. The results show that increasing the budget from $15 to $20 million reduces user inconvenience by 47%, while a further increase to $25 million yields an additional 18% reduction. Additionally, increasing users’ value of time from $13 to $36 per hour results in a 50% reduction in average queuing time.

Ferries play a crucial role in connecting island communities to mainland services. Thereby, ensuring equitable funding to these services is imperative. The Ferry Boat Program (FBP) is the primary federal funding source that allocates funding to ferry operators. Because of constrained financial resources, prudent fiscal governance is necessary to ensure the resiliency of the ferry systems. The primary objectives of this study are (i) to analyze the governance and funding requirements of ferry systems in Michigan, (ii) to conduct a comparative analysis of governance strategies with other state agencies, and (iii) to understand the effects of FBP formulation change under various legislative timeframes. A case study was conducted on four Michigan Islands. The study reveals that engine hours are a crucial metric for projecting funding needs. The nationwide survey highlights that Michigan has a relatively lower state funding per ridership, compared to other states. It is also observed that ferry services for residential islands exhibit inelastic demand, unlike tourism ferries, and budget allocations solely based on ridership volume might be insufficients. Consequently, the FBP formulation adjustment has affected funding competitiveness for operators serving mainly island residents. Overall, this study reveals that ferry governance models vary in their emphasis, from social cohesion to economic prosperity to mobility welfare. The study highlights the need for adaptive and dynamic governance models to account for demographic nuances to ensure equitable services for both residential and tourism-oriented ferry services. The research findings provide valuable resources for policy design concerning ferry system funding and governance.