Competitiveness Of Public Transport Research Articles

Location of transit-oriented development stations based on multimodal network equilibrium: Bi-level programming and paradoxes

The unique relationship between the value capture mechanism (VCM) and transit-oriented development (TOD) stations and their peripheral areas, which progressively develops an expanded multimodal network, is well acknowledged in the transport industry. However, in regards to the location of TOD stations, insufficient attention has been paid to user travel behaviours and the operating mechanism of the multimodal network. To bridge this research gap, we develop a bi-level programming model for the location of TOD stations that analyses user travel behaviour in the multimodal network. The VCM and transit priority are the objectives of the upper level of this multi-objective optimization model. And the lower level of the model is a modified multimodal network equilibrium based on the Davidson function. Using a simple numerical simulation, this study proposes explanations for some traffic paradoxes from the perspective of a multimodal network equilibrium. We also illustrate competition and collaboration between rail and bus transport systems. Finally, this study uses an empirical case to describe the feasibility and applicability of the model. The results demonstrate that the location of TOD stations is not only one of the keys to the competitiveness of public transport but is also relevant to implementing its VCM.

Public Transport Use on Trip Chains: Exploring Various Mode Choice Determinants

The purpose of the study is to explore the relative influence of different measures of accessibility, public transport quality and local density on trip chain mode choice. This study uses data from the National Travel Survey in Norway and develops a logistic regression model on the choice between public transport and car on daily trip chains. Results show that the most important factors in explaining the use of public transport are 1) the travel time competitiveness of public transport versus the car, 2) parking restrictions, 3) centrality of trip chain destinations, and 4) waiting time between departures.

Analysing the modal competitiveness of public transport through the concept of generalised journey time

Amongst a range of factors, travel time of the bus relative to the equivalent journey in the private car is considered the strongest predictor in the selection of travel mode. In order to incentify a shift toward more sustainable modes of transportation, the bus must decrease its travel time to compete with the car and attract and retain ridership. There is limited literature on the travel time ratio between the car and the bus, and very little work that addresses this issue in the context of Ōtepoti Dunedin. It is a complicated area of research that has no simple answer, as there is no single measure of time related quality of the typical bus service. This report uses the concept of Generalised Journey Time - which recognises that a single bus journey is a multimodal trip and breaks the journey into different stages. It then makes policy and governance suggestions that focus on the broader picture and aim to foster the delivery of a faster and more attractive public transportation system in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Increased public transport usage will reduce the reliance on global fossil fuel markets, generating cities that align with modern, sustainable, environmentally conscious visions. 
 Supervised by Ray O'Brien & Craig Cliff, Sustainability Office, University of OtagoScholarship funded by: Dunedin City Council

Analysis of the time and number of stops during the operation of selected public bus line in Rzeszow

Public transport fulfils many functions in the city. Its efficient functioning improves the comfort of residents’ life and eliminates communication exclusions. One of the basic criteria to evaluate different means of transport is the travel time on a given route. This time is largely dependent on stops. In the case of city buses, some of these stops result from the need to stop at bus stops. The second major part of these stops is forced by external traffic conditions. The article is devoted to examination of the number of stops and stopping times of a city bus on a selected route. The results obtained from the research indicate the possibility of reducing travel time and thus fuel consumption. These activities are part of the development of sustainable transport and contribute to the increase in the competitiveness of public transport in the city.

Prospects for the urban transportation systems development based on the concept of “Mobility as a service”

Background: For several decades now, the problem of the "auto-centric" model of megacity transport systems development has been a burning issue, which is characterized by serious negative consequences in the long run, despite certain conveniences for individual users. Urban mobility provides the population with access to economic resources, so a reliable transport system is a key condition for the sustainable development of modern agglomerations. The usage of digital technologies together with innovative products can ensure the efficient operation and competitiveness of public transport. "Mobility as a service" is an end-user-oriented model of urban mobility, which can promote the gradual abandonment of personal car use.
 Aim: Consider organizational models for implementing the concept of innovative mobility, identify the potential benefits of digital transformation of the urban transportation system, based on the model of efficient mobility "mobility as a service".
 Methods: General scientific research methods such as the systematic approach, analogy, generalization and synthesis were used.
 Results: The article explores the innovative urban mobility model based on mobility-as-a-service technology, examines the organizational models of MaaS, identifying the main barriers to implementing this concept along with potential advantages and disadvantages.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ОЦЕНКИ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ИНТЕЛЛЕКТУАЛЬНЫХ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ СИСТЕМ

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) play a fundamental role in reducing congestion, reducing traffic accidents and improving road safety. Proper evaluation of the effectiveness of these systems is an urgent task in terms of improving the performance of the entire transport network, and the development of a set of evaluation indicators will make it possible to make managerial decisions on planning the development of intelligent transport systems. To test the hypotheses about the possibility of using indicators to assess the effectiveness of ITS, a one-sample t-test was used, during the analysis it was found that the proposed indicators «environmental friendliness and safety», «reliability of the transport network», «competitiveness of public transport» are suitable for assessing intelligent transport systems

Modal accessibility disparities and transport poverty in the Oslo region

Sufficient accessibility to opportunities, with different transport modes, is an important factor in order to avoid transport-related social exclusion and transport poverty. This paper investigates the social and geographical disparities in accessibility and time competitiveness of public transport in the Oslo region. Both place-based access to employment opportunities and the working population’s individual-specific commutes are measured. The study combines registry data with detailed accessibility metrics and uses descriptive maps and spatial regression models to study transport poverty. The results show that less affluent neighbourhoods suffer from low accessibility and poor time competitiveness of public transport, which is partly related to the suburbanization of poverty. This suggests that the transition to low emission mobility, with restrictions on car use, may be especially burdensome in less affluent neighbourhoods. The findings can help policy makers in securing an equitable transition from car to more sustainable transport modes.

Public transport strategy: Minimal service vs. competitor to the car

With regard to public policy for public transport services, two dominant approaches are found: the provision of minimal services to the car-less population, or the provision of a service that competes directly with the car (in terms of time, cost, convenience, etc.). Increased acknowledgement of the need to mitigate traffic growth and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has led to a growing need to shift from the former to the latter, encouraging the use of public transport. This paper sets out to explore whether competitiveness with the car is a priority for the public transport planning of medium-sized European cities, as well as whether the change in European regulation (European Commission, 2007) has managed to contribute to the acceptance of this priority. In this study, we take a closer look at a country undergoing significant regulatory and procedural transformations. An exploratory analysis is conducted regarding plans, actions, and development projects in recent years in four Portuguese municipalities. Relevant planners and transport authorities are interviewed on matters such as how local policies and plans favor public transport; how the planning process was implemented; the actors involved; and the support tools used to achieve the established goals. The findings reveal that relative competitiveness of public transport is considered important by planning practitioners. Nevertheless, other concerns seem to be more timely, such as, providing minimal services, restructuring existing networks, and budget constraints. The results suggest that changes in the planning process have been overwhelming and are seen as restricting the steps required toward making public transport more competitive vis-à-vis the car. So far, local authorities recognize the potential of adding relative competitiveness concerns in the future, as well as the added value of planning support tools capable of revealing such relative competitiveness.

Simulation-Based Public Transport Priority Tailored to Passenger Conflict Flows: A Case Study of the City of Zagreb

Prioritizing public transport is one of the most effective measure to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of public transport in relation to individual vehicles. The main goal of this study was to examine the possibilities for reducing the travel time of tram vehicles by giving priority at signalized intersections in terms of sharing the traffic lane with personal vehicles and under conditions of strong conflict flows with private transport. For this purpose, we used the simulation tool VISSIM and its module EPICS. A methodology for determining weighting factors for prioritizing public transport flows was developed based on conflicting passenger flows in public transport vehicles and passenger cars. Three scenarios were tested in the study area: (1) “do nothing”; (2) unconditional priority; and (3) conditional priority. The results showed that unconditional priority led to unsustainable traffic conditions for personal vehicles and public transport. In contrast, conditional priority reduced the travel time of public transport on certain corridors by between 7.64% and 18.76% in the morning peak period, and 5.60% to 22.50% in the afternoon peak period.

When and why do people choose automated buses over conventional buses? Results of a context-dependent stated choice experiment

The sustainable and continuous development of public transport systems is crucial to ensuring robust and resilient transport and economic activity whilst improving the urban environment. Through technological improvement, cities can increase the competitiveness of public transport, promote equality and pursue a multi-modal shift to greener solutions. The introduction of vehicle automation technology into existing public transport systems has potential impacts on mobility behaviours and may replace conventional bus service in the future. This study examines travellers’ preferences for automated buses versus conventional buses, using a context-dependent stated choice experiment. This experiment measured the effects of context variables (such as trip purpose, travel distance, time of day, weather conditions and travel companion) on the choice of automated buses versus conventional buses. The results were analysed using mixed logit models, and the findings indicate that, in general, choice behaviours do not diverge much between the choice of automated bus and conventional bus. However, individuals’ choices are more elastic towards the changes in automated bus service levels compared to conventional bus service. The results show that poor weather conditions may lower the quality and reliability of public transport service, and the probability of choosing an automated bus over a conventional bus is reduced due to such disruptions. In addition, passengers travelling for work purposes, covering long distances, or travelling with companions are more likely to choose conventional buses than automated buses.

Management of Competitiveness of Metropolis Public Transport in the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Core Consumers’ Values

The aim of the paper focuses on generating insights into the competitiveness of public transport in Moscow City in relation to the use of personal cars, considering individual basic consumer values and environmental factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research question in this study is: how can we assess the main indicators of public transport’s competitiveness, which can motivate personal car owners with specific basic values to change the transportation mode for personal mobility? This conceptual research model combines the content analysis of publications and large-scale online survey of Moscow City’s car owners—potential consumers of public transport services—on a representative quota sample of 1263 respondents. The methodology includes the axiological approach for the identification of the main factors of consumer behavior of personal car owners in the city with combinations of the modified Schwartz’s methodology of the basic individual values evaluations. Secondary data manifested the changes in the behavior of car owners due to the fact that they value metropolitan environmental degradation and changed their transportation preferences to public transport even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the factor and cluster analysis of the value profile of the individuals, seven clusters of car owners were identified, and two large clusters were selected as target segments for public transport services. The conclusion was made that it is necessary to differentiate social and marketing programs to promote the competitiveness of public transport in the minds of consumers.

Competitiveness of the public transport and car owner behavior: interrelations and contradictions in the light of sustainable development of the metropolis

Consistent actions taken by car manufacturers to improve the quality of vehicles make them easier to use and reduce their negative impact on the environment significantly strengthen the competitiveness of personal transport. At the same time, high investments in the development of urban transport systems (especially large ones) create conditions for the mobility of all population groups, but do not significantly affect the competitiveness of public transport. At the same time, the high competitiveness of the public transport system is a sign of the successful implementation of the concept of sustainable development of the territory, making it more attractive for tourism and stimulating its development. The study of the limitations of the analysis of the competitiveness of public transport is conducted in this article along with an analysis of the factors that influence the choice of citizens in terms of mobility for their daily tasks. The article presents the results of an empirical study of relations between Moscow residents and public transport, changes in the intensity of use of personal cars in the period 2015-2020. During this period, the transport system has undergone significant positive changes, which have affected the perception of comfort and accessibility of public transport in Moscow.

Mode choice in home-to-work travel in mid-size towns: The competitiveness of public transport when bicycling and walking are viable options

It is widely recognized that the transport system contributes significantly to current environmental problems such as global warming, as well as to health issues caused by emissions and lack of exercise. For the transport system to contribute to sustainable development, the link between economic growth and growth in motorized transport must be broken. Since high population densities and shorter distances provide greater potential for efficient public transport as well as for walking and biking, the highest potential for change is in urban areas. As a large proportion of urban travel consists of home-to-work travel, such travel will be our focus in this paper. More specifically, this paper aims to analyze the factors that determine mode choice in situations where bicycle and walking are competitive options and to contribute to the knowledge of the conditions under which public transport can be a competitive alternative to the private car. The results of this study could be used to devise policies for reducing car dependency in urban areas. The results show that even if it is possible to attract new passengers to public transport through changes in the public transport system (i.e., reduced fares or reduced travel time) few of these new passengers will be shifting from private car use. To achieve a shift from private car to walking, bicycling or bus riding, such policies must be combined with restrictions (and/or cost increases) on car use.

The Competitiveness of Public Transport

The Competitiveness of Public Transport

Measuring Negative Synergies of Urban Sprawl and Economic Crisis over Public Transport Efficiency

Sustainable urban mobility requires accessible and demand attractive public transport (PT) networks. However, urban sprawl has been the main characterizing growth pattern of European cities since 1950. In these increasingly dispersed cities, PT is facing increasing problems of efficiency to compete with cars. The sprawling cities are dominated by car use, especially in the peripheral areas. Moreover, Europe is still reeling under the financial crisis, which first hit the continent in 2007. In this context of economic crisis, the lack of financing resources and the declining demand for PT have further weakened the PT systems in European cities. This study considered the urban PT systems of six Spanish cities in order to determine their evolution over the last ten years. This evolution is examined in the backdrop of urban sprawl and economic crisis. The analysis is based on several indicators meant to measure PT demand, supply, and efficiency. The study shows how did each city react to the lack of resources and trip reduction during the economic crisis, by adopting different PT management strategies. The differences in reaction produced different results, but none of the cities could avoid the loss of PT efficiency. The results indicate that policy strategies need to include land use and transport measures to achieve more sustainable PT systems. Only integrated strategies could improve PT efficiency and quality levels and contribute toward increasing competitiveness of PT, even in adverse contexts.

Urban Mobility – Identification, Measurement and Evaluation

In literature, discussions on creating and modelling the transport behaviour of urban residents relate to both large and small cities. Despite this, there is a need for a holistic approach and interdisciplinary research in this field, especially dedicated to smaller towns also exposed to the various problems associated with urban transport. The rate and nature of changes in transport behaviour of urban residents in both Western Europe and in Central and Eastern Europe is conditioned by many diverse factors. There is therefore a need to find methods for the analysis of multiple variables describing the communication behaviour of urban residents. The purpose of the study is an attempt to model transportation preferences of urban residents. The paper presents the results of modelling transport behaviour of inhabitants using factor analysis. The authors decided to present the results of the factor analysis because despite the separation of tasks carried out by a transport organizer (the appropriate department of the City Council) and an operator (the entity implementing the transport service in the city), in practice these factors are seen commonly by passengers. It was decided, therefore, to check how the inhabitants using urban public transport assess the quality of the public transport within the city. The study results can be a useful tool for local authorities in order to design solutions that improve the competitiveness of public transport to private transport.