Evaluation of the actions aimed at the transition to sustainable public transport system

Abstract

The twentieth century, which became a period of unprecedented growth of cities and urbanization, revealed the need of mankind to develop and implement the principles of sustainable development. Possible ways to shift to sustainable transport system (such as the use of alternative fuel and transition to public and non-motorized modes of transport) are discussed in this article. The objective of this publication is to assess efficiency of such methods’ implementation on the example of the concrete city. Authors have suggested to change the bus route network, the structure of the bus fleet on the routes and to replace public transport buses by the new ones run on methane. To check these suggestions, authors have built the new one transport model and have simulated three cases: the existing route network and bus fleet’s structure, the proposed new one route network with buses run on diesel fuel and the proposed new one route network with buses run on methane. To evaluate efficiency, authors have assessed economic efficiency, positive social effect, environmental friendliness and sustainability of the urban transport system. Economic efficiency is achieved by reducing overruns and fuel costs thanks to the use of buses run on methane. The social effect is in the reduction of: 1) the delivery time by the route network optimization, 2) the likelihood of traffic jams, and 3) the downtime of buses at the bus stops. Since congestions increase pollutant emissions, route network optimization reduces negative impact on the environment. Replacing public transport buses by the new ones run on methane gives the same positive effect. To assess sustainability of the urban transport city is the most difficult task. The authors have identified indicators and used the radar map to compare possible solutions.