Public Transport Users Research Articles

Exploring the effects of public transport subsidies on satisfaction and ridership

The determinants of public transport demand are multifaceted, necessitating consideration of various factors that extend beyond the objective aspects of operation. In addition to travel time and costs, it is imperative to comprehend psychosocial factors influencing public transport usage to enhance policies geared toward fostering ridership and sustainable mobility. Empirical evidence suggests that subjective attributes, such as satisfaction and attitudes, exert a discernible influence on travel behavior and the utilization of public transport. Nevertheless, these linkages remain largely unexplored, especially within the context of large public transport networks in cities of the Global South. This paper aims to address this gap by evaluating the impact of demand-side subsidies in the form of travel vouchers on public transport ridership to understand the mediating effect of satisfaction levels according to the users’ socioeconomic characteristics. These satisfaction levels are related to overall satisfaction with transport, employment and educational opportunities, and life. To achieve this, a large-scale randomized controlled experiment was conducted in Bogotá, Colombia, involving a sample of frequent public transport users (N = 1,607). The participants were divided into a treatment group, which received the travel vouchers loaded onto their smart travel cards for four months, and a control group. Hybrid-ordered logit models were employed to estimate the average number of weekly trips undertaken before, during, and after the intervention. The result shows an increase in ridership by the treatment group, which does not solely depend on improved affordability; but is influenced by a complex interplay of socioeconomic factors and shifts in satisfaction levels. This confirmed that travel satisfaction can contribute to increased public transport demand.

Investigating urban mobility through multi-source public transportation data: A multiplex network perspective

The integration of multi-source and diverse spatio-temporal travel data provides a comprehensive insight into urban mobility. Using data from Shenzhen's public transportation system, this study presents an analytical framework based on multiplex networks to examine variations in multi-mode public transportation usage (metro, bus, taxi, and shared bike) and their correlation with the built environment. This framework encompasses the analysis of network topological characteristics, centrality, and communities. The examination of network topological characteristics reveals that the multiplex transportation network exhibits high global accessibility and local connectivity. Network centrality analysis, focusing on weighted outdegree centrality, captures the patterns of public transportation ridership. Centrality modeling, employing the light gradient boosting machine, demonstrates a nonlinear relationship between ridership and the built environment. Factors including population density, residential land use percentage, entertainment service density, restaurant density, and metro station density consistently exhibit positive correlations with ridership across different times of the day. The community structure analysis, using consensus community detection, indicates that distinct urban areas exhibit clustering behavior based on public transportation demand patterns, forming distinct communities that closely align with the functional zoning of urban planning. These findings could provide valuable insights for the strategic planning of transportation services and the built environment.

The whole journey chain with public transport for people with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – a scoping review

ABSTRACT Independent transport mobility is an important contributor to health, well-being, and participation. Several skills and competences are required for a person to use the transport system. The characteristics of cognitive disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may pose barriers to independent travel. Methods The study’s aim was to synthesise knowledge on the use of public transport among individuals with ASD or ADHD using the whole journey chain perspective. A scoping review using the PRISMA ScR framework was conducted, and included articles published between January 2012 and June 2022. A total of 11 studies from four countries were included in the analysis. Results This study complements the whole journey chain perspective with a phase that takes place long before the journey begins, and which concerns planning and preparation. Confident travellers could easily learn new routes, while those lacking confidence faced challenges, especially with unexpected route changes or cancellations. Conclusions There is a great need for emphasis on the design of public transport facilities and public spaces to increase the sense of safety for travellers with ASD, and to assist them with information-seeking, comprehension, and recovery between journeys.

Fare-free, not carefree: care mobilities in a fare-free public transport system in Tallinn

The implementation of fare-free public transport (FFPT) in Tallinn (Estonia) in 2013 sparked international media, policy, and academic interest in best practices, funding structures, and ridership. Initial studies showed marginal effects on modal shift, but increased travel by low-income households, and by younger and older passengers. Yet, the assumed social impact of FFPT has since been under-researched. Based on qualitative research with 22 transport-dependent users, including two semi-structured interviews and a seven-day travel diary, this study examines the daily experiences, mobility constraints, and travel practices of care mobilities, i.e., journeys made to care for others or a household. Findings indicate that the absence of fares, although a relative variable in modal choice, allows carers expanded activity spaces, independence from car ownership, and easier coordination of care tasks. I propose to frame accessibility as a relational process emerging from passengers’ encounters and the practices adopted to navigate shared spaces. With this, I argue that understanding public transport use and experiences at a micro-level offers an intersectional and justice lens to commuter-oriented transport and neoliberal urban planning policies.

Assessing the potential impacts of public transport-based crowdshipping: A case study in a central district of Copenhagen

AbstractThe expansion of e-commerce and the sharing economy has paved the way for crowdshipping as an innovative approach to addressing last-mile delivery challenges. Previous studies and implementations have predominantly concentrated on private vehicle-based crowdshipping, which may lead to increased traffic congestion and emissions due to additional trips made specifically for deliveries. To circumvent these possible adverse effects, this paper explores a public transport (PT)-based crowdshipping concept as a complementary solution to the traditional parcel delivery systems. In this model, PT users leverage their routine journeys to perform delivery tasks. We propose a methodology that includes a parcel locker location model and a vehicle routing model to analyze the effect of PT-based crowdshipping. Notably, the parcel locker location model aids in planning a PT-based crowdshipping network and identifying obstacles to its development. A case study conducted in the central district of Copenhagen utilizing real-world data assesses the effects of PT-based crowdshipping. The findings suggest that PT-based crowdshipping can decrease the total kilometers traveled by vehicles, the overall working hours of drivers, and the number of vans required for last-mile deliveries, thereby alleviating urban traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Nevertheless, the growth of PT-based crowdshipping may be limited by the availability of crowdshippers, indicating that initiatives to increase the number of crowdshippers are essential.

Urban Infrastructure Construction Planning: Urban Public Transport Line Formulation

Urban public transport line formulation has its appeal in promoting public convenience and developing environmentally friendly cities. During the bus line planning stage, the line frequency and stop location determination is a key issue for decision makers. Our study focuses on the integrated formulation problem between line frequency and stop planning featuring multi-type vehicles. The multi-type vehicles are able to accommodate the various passenger demands at either peak hours or off-peak hours. The a priori magnitudes of user demands are investigated by drone-based technique methods in the tactical-level plan. The collected geospatial data can assist the public transport user forecast. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed. The objective is to minimize the walking cost of passengers, the building cost of stops, and the operation cost of service frequency. The effectiveness of the model is validated by a real case in Nantong, China. CPLEX is used to resolve the MILP model. Yielding to the budget constraint, in high-price, medium-price, and low-price scenarios, the optimal high-quantity stop scheme can save 3.04%, 3.11%, and 3.38% in overall cost compared with the medium-quantity stop scheme, respectively; their cost savings are 8.53%, 8.70%, and 9.09% more than the costs of the low-quantity stop scheme.

Accumulative cartography: a visual semiotic analysis of online mobile maps

Abstract Dynamic maps featured in navigation applications draw on conventional cartographic practices for representing the urban environment, engaging drivers and users of public transportation in their efforts to reach their destinations. However, since these maps are produced within an economy of data accumulation, their construction of territory and user-friendly interface are designed to generate value. In this article, we explore what we define as accumulative cartography—mapping designed for the accumulation of data and capital—by developing a semiotic walk-through method for analyzing dynamic maps. Our visual semiotic analysis of Waze, Moovit, and Gett reveals that their maps are personalized, centering on the user; they commodify space, aiming to promote their specific business models; and they are preoccupied with time. We suggest that in contrast to printed maps, dynamic maps don’t provide users with the information required for navigation but instead navigate algorithmically for them, while accumulating their information.

Navigate through the haze: Wildfire smoke exposure and Metrorail ridership

Adverse weather events significantly impact the operations of urban transportation systems and change human travel behaviors. Over the decades, wildfires have emerged as a pressing concern due to their increased frequency and intensity, yet the relationship between wildfire smoke and public transportation usage remains largely unexplored. Leveraging high-resolution daily wildfire-driven PM2.5 concentration estimates and station-level Metrorail ridership data in the Washington Metropolitan Area spanning 2012–2019, we examine the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on Metrorail usage. We find that wildfire smoke exposure results in a 0.8% increase in Metrorail ridership on weekdays and a more pronounced 3.7% rise on weekends. Additionally, we show a stronger response in Metrorail ridership to wildfire smoke during off-peak hours compared to peak hours, with the most substantial increase observed during the winter. Our heterogeneity analysis further suggests that a lack of vehicle ownership and higher reliance on walking and public transportation are key factors leading to increased Metrorail ridership. Collectively, these results highlight the need for proactive service adjustments and effective communication strategies to accommodate the potential shifts in human travel behaviors and Metrorail ridership on days exposed to wildfire smoke.

Study on Factors of Urban Transportation Service Quality Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process: A Case Study of Gangtok City

Promoting the use of public transportation requires an in - depth knowledge of the variables that affect the choice of public transportation mode, including the process of implementing policy, as it has become a crucial component of government strategies to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector globally. A variety of factors impacting the usage of public transportation have been identified in previous studies, but few have been included in a single study. In order to boost the use of public transportation, it is essential to make it more attractive to travellers by conducting frequent Service Quality (SQ) assessments and adjustments. Understanding the passengers’ expectations towards public transportation are important, and assessing the SQ is an important tool for evaluating the total performance of the Gangtok’s public transportation system. The purpose of the existing study was to study the expectations and perceptions of city’s passengers regarding SQ in public transportation. In order to comprehend how the present commuters’ prefer a particular service quality attribute a series of interviews with passengers were undertaken. MCDM technique was adopted for this. The paper focuses on service quality factors for urban transportation system by adopting AHP technique. In this study perception of passengers using public transport in Gangtok is taken from the field. The case study is taken for Gangtok city in the state of Sikkim. The study involves study of passengers from various bus stop locations of the city. The results of the research showed substantial discrepancies among expectations and perceptions of city’s commuters, along with widespread dissatisfaction with the delivery of public transit services in hilly areas as a whole. The reliability and adaptiveness of these service have been critical in describing the overall quality of transportation services in hilly areas, and best practices were used to develop a set of recommendations for transportation operators and local officials.

SMART AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY – PUBLIC AND SHARED TRANSPORT USERS’ BEHAVIOR IN GDYNIA CITY: A CASE STUDY

Novel technologies have resulted in the unprecedented and dynamic development of transport systems—one of the most important sectors of the economy. The implementation of smarter commuting solutions, in order to improve the processes of transportation, allows for cost and energy saving, better organization of time, and, as a result, an increase in quality of life. Also, this supports the operationalization of the sustainable development concept, enabling a compact and efficient urban transport system to be developed. The purpose of this paper is to analyze smart urban mobility development prerequisites and challenges, taking Gdynia city public and shared transport users’ preferences and transport behavior as a case study. A research hypothesis has been formulated stating that most commuters have sufficient digital competencies and benefit from the available modern technological solutions contributing to smarter and more sustainable urban development. The obtained results prove the importance of the role the digital world plays these days and show how the impact of technology on the transportation sector has helped to develop new opportunities for urban mobility.

Public Transport Inequality and Utilization: Exploring the Perspective of the Inequality Impact on Travel Choices

Public transport (PT) inequality is evidenced to have adverse consequences on various social–urban–economic aspects of urban residents’ lives; however, the impact of this inequality on PT itself, particularly its utilization, is a less explored area of study. This paper examines the association between PT inequality and PT utilization patterns in Melbourne, Australia, using journey-to-work data in a multivariate regression model. By analyzing commuting and socioeconomic factors, we investigate how PT inequalities affect the travel choices of the residents. Our findings indicate that regions with lower PT inequality demonstrate higher PT usage for daily commuting, emphasizing the importance of the equitable distribution of resources. This finding is consistent across different PT modes of trains, trams, and buses, and using different inequality measures of the Gini index and the 90/10 ratio. Spatial variations and factors like income levels, education, home ownership, and age are also found to influence PT usage. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential impact of incorporating equity considerations during the planning stages of PT projects. Furthermore, they could justify targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the equity of PT services.

Assessment of the Electronic Smart Card Payment System and the Security and Safety of Public Transport Users in Lagos

Assessment of the Electronic Smart Card Payment System and the Security and Safety of Public Transport Users in Lagos

An intelligent FL-based vehicle route optimization protocol for green and sustainable IoT connected IoV

The intelligent Internet of Vehicles (IoV) provides superior results in effectively addressing complex transportation challenges. Predicting vehicle traffic, crashes, demand, location, communication, and travel safety are all critical issues in today’s transportation systems. The proposed paper optimizes vehicle traffic by incorporating reroute recommendations, increasing the use of public transportation, and providing onboard vehicle drivers with intelligent health assistance using Federated Learning (FL). This research also focuses on resolving complex transportation issues such as a vehicle’s current location, exact vehicle count information on each route, and onboard vehicle vacant seat information. Furthermore, vehicle communication contributes to the proposed system’s efficiency by avoiding communication delays or information loss to registered users and the cloud server. An intelligent FL-based scheme for vehicle route optimization has been proposed as part of this research to prevent vehicle traffic in a real-time Internet of Things (IoT) connected IoV transportation system. The vehicle detection approach determines the number of vehicles traveling on each route to recommend the best route to registered users. The effective implementation of cluster-based vehicle communication and location estimation models enhances the efficiency of the proposed system.

SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a highly vulnerable population of Brazil: a household cohort study

Household transmission studies seek to understand the transmission dynamics of a pathogen by estimating the risk of infection from household contacts and community exposures. We estimated within/extra-household SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and associated factors in a household cohort study in one of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro city. Individuals ≥1 years-old with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the past 30 days (index cases) and household members aged ≥1 year were enrolled and followed at 14 and 28 days (study period November/2020-December/2021). RT-PCR testing, COVID-19 symptoms, and SARS-CoV-2 serologies were ascertained in all visits. Chain binomial household transmission models were fitted using data from 2024 individuals (593 households). Extra-household infection risk was 74.2% (95% credible interval [CrI] 70.3-77.8), while within-household infection risk was 11.4% (95% CrI 5.7-17.2). Participants reporting having received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine had lower extra-household (68.9%, 95% CrI 57.3-77.6) and within-household (4.1%, 95% CrI 0.4-16.6) infection risk. Within-household infection risk was higher among participants aged 10-19 years, from overcrowded households, and with low family income. Contrastingly, extra-household infection risk was higher among participants aged 20-29 years, unemployed, and public transportation users. Our study provides important insights into COVID-19 household/community transmission in a vulnerable population that resided in overcrowded households and who struggled to adhere to lockdown policies and social distancing measures. The high extra-household infection risk highlights the extreme social vulnerability of this population. Prioritising vaccination of the most socially vulnerable could protect these individuals and reduce widespread community transmission. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, CNPq, FAPERJ, Royal Society, Instituto Serrapilheira, FAPESP.

Transportation Network Connectivity in Nusa Cendana University Campus Environment

The objectives of this research are, (1) To determine the connectivity index of the transportation network in the Undana campus environment, and (2) To determine and increase the level of efficiency of traffic movements in supporting the accessibility needs of transportation users in the Undana campus environment. campus environment. The method used is a quantitative descriptive method which is used to analyze data by describing or illustrating the data that has been collected as it is. The results of the analysis in this research are, with the beta index value (ϐ) of 1.05 indicates that road network connectivity is not arranged linearly or simply. Meanwhile, the gamma index (y) value of 0.38 indicates that the condition of transportation network connectivity is still low. Therefore, infrastructure planning is proposed as a solution to increase the mobility and connectivity index values. Several traffic engineering management scenarios are proposed based on the results of the analysis, namely widening roads, limiting public transportation, scheduling traffic movement activities, improving the safety of traffic signs, encouraging the use of public transportation by providing temporary stops, and monitoring traffic. engineering management.

Analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic on preferences of transport modes

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the entire world and changed many aspects of daily life, including transportation behaviour and preferences. This study examines the situation of transportation behaviour and preferences before and after the Covid-19 pandemic process through a survey study. A total of 471 people participated in the survey, and 30 questions were posed to participants regarding transportation modes preference, daily usage habits, public transportation usage rate, income status, perceived risk level of transportation systems, preferences before and after the pandemic process, and more. The answers were classified, evaluated and statistically analysed. The results showed that users were significantly affected by the Covid-19 process and changed their transportation mode preferences. The use of buses in urban journeys decreased, and the use of private vehicles significantly increased after the Covid-19 process. Hygiene was the key factor in travel, followed by the vehicle occupancy rate, ventilation, fare and travel time factors. The perceived risk levels of public transportation systems were ranked as metrobus, minibus (paratransit), bus, metro, tram and ferry. The study suggests that future transportation system designs should consider user preferences, as well as changes in education and working conditions, and pandemic conditions.

A study on commuters’ public transportation mode choice behavior in river valley-type cities considering terrain spatial perception: evidence from Lanzhou, China

Existing research rarely examines the subjective and objective built environment of river valley-type cities in relation to travel mode choice, particularly overlooking the heterogeneity among travelers in these cities. In this paper, based on questionnaire survey data and built environment data, terrain spatial perception (TSP) is introduced to expand the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and a Structural Equation Model (SEM) is established. Factor analysis and path analysis are conducted using SPSS and AMOS to estimate latent variables. An integrated model of SEM and random parameter Logit model (RPLM), which can not only analyze the psychological perception factors of commuters in river valley-type cities but also consider the heterogeneity of psychological perception, was constructed to analyze the impact of personal attributes, objective built environment factors, and psychological latent variables on the commuting mode choice behavior of public transport users in river valley-type cities. The results indicate that the five observation indicators corresponding to the proposed terrain spatial perception latent variables can better explain the terrain spatial perception of commuters in river valley-type cities. Different from plain cities, the subjective and objective built environment of river valley-type cities notably influence the travel behavior of commuters. Moreover, the parameters of terrain spatial perception follow a normal distribution, indicating that the sensitivity of different commuters to the terrain spatial perception of river valley-type cities is heterogeneous. The results of our study can provide a reference for alleviating traffic issues in valley cities.

Less restrictions in daily life: a clinical practice guideline for children with cancer

PurposeIn current clinical practice, recommendations regarding restrictions in daily life for children with cancer are often lacking or not evidence-based. Critically reviewing the evidence and formulating recommendations are therefore of great importance as social restrictions (e.g., swimming, school attendance, sports) can impair the quality of life of these children severely. Therefore, our aim was to develop a clinical practice guideline for clinicians, children, and their parents regarding social restrictions in children with cancer.MethodsA comprehensive multidisciplinary panel was assembled, comprising 21 professionals and patient representatives. A systematic literature review was performed, including dual appraisal of all citations. The GRADE methodology was used to extract, summarize, and assess the evidence. Multiple in-person meetings were held to rank outcomes, discuss evidence, complete evidence-to-decision frameworks, and formulate recommendations. Final recommendations were unanimously supported by all panel members.ResultsSix studies, including 758 children, formed the evidence base for the recommendations. Given the scarcity of the available evidence and various designs of studies in children with cancer, additional evidence was extracted from adult oncology guidelines, and shared expert opinions were utilized. In total, 14 recommendations were formulated of which multiple result in changes in current policy and standard of practice in the Netherlands. Topics covered in this guideline are swimming, having pets, visiting the zoo or farm, performing sports or high-velocity events, attending school or kindergarten, and use of public transport. This guideline is not intended to provide recommendations for patients after end of treatment, for palliative care settings, or for children undergoing a stem cell transplantation.ConclusionsIn this clinical practice guideline, we provide recommendations regarding restrictions in daily life in children with cancer. These include evidence-based recommendations and, in the absence of sufficient evidence, recommendations based on expert evidence. With these recommendations, we provide guidance for clinicians, children, and parents and contribute to improving quality of life for children with cancer.

User information needs for hybrid public transport systems in Cape Town, South Africa

Public transport information imbalances are rife in cities with hybrid systems composed of scheduled and unscheduled modes, hindering users’ ability to access mobility. Though private and public entities alike are seeking information-based technological solutions to aid users to navigate these systems, there is still little understanding of what information users need to navigate these complex hybrid systems. Particularly for captive public transport users who do not have access to private alternative means of travel, access to relevant information across all modes could enable access to information on trips that better suit their needs and preferences. Through semi-structured interviews followed by a best-worst scaling survey with captive public transport users in Cape Town, South Africa, this study investigates what information users need to plan non-routine hybrid journeys. Information needs are extensive, ranging beyond that which is publicly offered, not only on available transport services in isolation, but also across these collective services. This paper provides a method for investigating the information needs of users to enable policy makers to better align information and data strategies to support the integration of hybrid public transport systems through passenger information.

Who's afraid of pedestrianisation? Residents' perceptions and preferences on street transformation

While urban pedestrianisation schemes typically attract vociferous opposition, it is often unclear whether these negative views are representative of the general population. For this reason, understanding how residents perceive the impacts of such schemes is critical to their evaluation. To this aim, this article assesses residents' perceptions and preferences regarding the pedestrianisation of multiple streets in the Eixample district of Barcelona in recent years, through a representative survey of the district's residents (n = 1211). Our research examines how residents' views on pedestrianisation vary depending on their mobility habits, sociodemographic background, and the level of traffic calming of the street they live on. Our results show that most respondents (66%) consider that the impacts of existing pedestrianisations have been positive regardless of whether they live on a pedestrianised street or not, even though residents of recently pedestrianised streets are more positive than those living on other streets. At the same time, many residents of pedestrianised streets consider that the benefits of reduced traffic externalities may be partially counterbalanced by new problems caused by an intensive use of public space (e.g. noise from people and cafes, touristification, nightlife). Our results also show that there is a strong relationship between support for pedestrianisation, age and mobility habits: daily car and motorbike users are much less supportive of pedestrianisation than public transport users and cyclists, while support for pedestrianisation decreases markedly with advancing age.