Impact of Street Design and Operational Factors on Level of Satisfaction of Green Transport Users in a Large Metropolitan Area

Abstract

AbstractIndia’s National Urban Transport Policy lays out guidelines and strategies to strike a balance between vehicle usage and environmental awareness. An estimated one-third of the all urban trips in India are walking trips, and other non-motorized transport (NMT) modes such as cycle/e-rickshaws are also hugely popular. However, facilities are rarely designed, keeping in mind the needs of such NMT users, which have resulted in a poor level of service offered and subsequently a steady decline of their modal share. The study results show that although the average walking and rickshaw trip lengths were significantly large which indicates a propensity to use NMT modes, but the overall satisfaction with the facilities/services were average or below average. A majority of respondents are dissatisfied by the air quality while walking or with the location of pick-up/drop-off points while availing the cycle rickshaw service. The modeling results show that removal of obstructions is expected to have the highest impact of improving the overall satisfaction of pedestrians i.e., odds are 1.62 times higher than footpath continuity which is the least influential one. Additionally, sturdier/cleaner cycle rickshaws are likely to have the most significant impact i.e., odds are 1.46 times more than passenger comfort (passenger load), which is the least influential, in case of rickshaw users. Lastly, the study concludes that specific and targeted NMT improvements will likely be required, even in newer parts of a city, and in several instances, multiple improvements shall be warranted, to enhance the satisfaction of a NMT user.KeywordsNon-motorized transportWalking tripCycle/e-rickshawsDesign and operational factorsUsers’ perception