Multi-Criteria School Busing Models

This paper presents multi-criteria school busing models. More specifically, it reports on the application of goal programming to the school busing problem in order to achieve multiple, conflicting objectives. The models attempt to derive optimal solutions in order to reflect such goals as providing educational opportunity to children, striving for a racial balance, balancing overcrowding among schools, permitting the community school concept, and minimizing total transportation costs. The study offers practical applications of the approach to the complex social issue of busing.