Application of Spatial Data and Analysis for Bus Transportation Optimization and Planning: A State-of-the-Art Review

Spatial data and spatial analysis play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and planning of bus transportation systems. Despite recent advances in geospatial technologies, including the widespread availability of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data and its growing use in Public Transportation (PT), there is still a lack of comprehensive reviews focused exclusively on bus services. This state-of-the-art review investigates recent studies from 2020 to 2025 that apply spatial data and spatial analysis approaches to improve bus service performance. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify research applications and trends in the transportation field. The review identifies five key application areas: bus route optimization, bus stop placement, passenger counting systems, bus operations and service reliability, and electric bus and sustainable mobility. The results highlight the growing integration of spatial data into bus service planning and management, which is responsible for enhancing service efficiency, passenger experience, and sustainability. While significant progress has been made, certain areas such as bus stop placement remain underexplored compared to other applications. This review offers a comprehensive reference to support future research and the development of more intelligent, reliable, and sustainable bus transportation systems.