Monash University, Institute of Transport Studies: World Transit Research (WTR)
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Will you still drive or are you ready to ride? Exploring readiness to use demand-responsive transport in the City of Vienna
No full textDemand-responsive transport (DRT) is recognized as a potential solution for mitigating car-dependent mobility in areas with underdeveloped public transport systems. However, whether DRT competes with or complements public transport remains unclear. This study investigates these dynamics using the stated preference method and random utility maximization theory, emphasizing the role of long-term mobility patterns, such as years of car driving, alongside specific attributes of DRT and car modes. The research incorporates stated preference (SP) scenarios reflecting diverse travel needs, including urgent versus flexible trips and requirements for transporting luggage, baby stroller, or small bags. Data was collected in Vienna, where DRT services are implemented, comprising 2934 SP choices from 326 respondents. The analysis involved two stages: discrete choice modeling was first used to assess random and systematic effects on decision-making via the Monte Carlo method. The second stage explored substitution effects, willingness-to-pay, and policy implications for DRT deployment. Findings indicate that only 9.35 % of participants perceive years of car driving as positively influencing their readiness to use DRT, while for 90.65 %, more driving experience negatively affects DRT utility. Parking fee increases were found to enhance the likelihood of choosing DRT over public transport or biking. Furthermore, substitution pattern analysis highlights a stronger sensitivity to travel time changes than to travel cost variations in first/last-mile travel contexts. These insights provide valuable guidance for the effective integration of DRT into urban mobility systems
Performance assessment of public transport routes: A framework using revealed data
No full textTo retain existing passengers and attract new users, a comprehensive evaluation of public transport services becomes an indispensable tool for transport planners and operators. The present study proposes a novel framework for assessing public transport service quality using secondary data sources. In this, a composite index is developed by incorporating key attributes, i.e., service availability, travel time reliability, occupancy, and environmental factors. The proposed framework uses the fuzzy AHP method to assign weights to each attribute; the resulting order of attributes is service availability (0.442), travel time reliability (0.293), occupancy (0.189), and environmental factor (0.075). Further, these weights are used as input for a composite scale developed. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a composite index for three transit routes in Delhi by revealing various scenarios requiring attention, notably (1) routes with higher occupancy and with a higher variation in occupancy, (2) cases of low occupancy despite high service availability, and (3) situations of high occupancy with poor reliability. The composite scale facilitates data-driven optimization of various resources by quantifying the trade-offs between attributes. It helps determine precise resource allocation - whether deploying additional buses during peak periods, redistributing existing fleets, or reserved lanes. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to understand the interaction of different attributes and their influence on the overall service level. This ensures that any reallocation maintains or improves service quality on both the source and recipient routes by providing specific thresholds for each attribute that maintains the desired Level of Service. This systematic approach allows planners to optimize resources while ensuring service standards are not compromised on the route. With these valuable insights, policymakers can make more informed decisions about resource allocation and service improvements
Recognizing user satisfaction and loyalty in bus and metro services: A gender-based analysis using PLS-SEM
No full textThis study explores the factors affecting user satisfaction and loyalty within Greater Valparaíso, Chile\u27s public transport system, focusing on bus and metro services. A survey of 552 users was conducted using a non-probabilistic sampling method, ensuring an equitable distribution by gender, age, and commune. Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and perceived value. The results indicate that perceived quality and value are the primary predictors of satisfaction, which drives loyalty. A key finding is the significant role of gender in shaping bus users\u27 loyalty. Women place greater importance on attributes like cleanliness, lighting, and temperature when evaluating service quality than men. Additionally, for female passengers, maintaining a positive corporate image is crucial for loyalty, influencing their likelihood to recommend or continue using the service. Gender differences were also observed in the perception of service quality related to information about schedules and routes, with this information being essential for women. No significant gender differences were found in the metro service. The findings in Greater Valparaíso align with global trends regarding the importance of cleanliness, comfort, and safety in user satisfaction, but they also reveal regional distinctions, particularly the emphasis on security in the bus system, echoing findings from other non-European contexts where safety is a more prominent concern
Measuring the impacts of subway openings on location choice: Systematic evidence from service enterprises, Beijing
No full textStudies concerning the location choices of enterprises are predominantly focus on manufacturing enterprises, with limited attention given to service enterprises. This paper examines Beijing, whose services account for more than 80 % of GDP, to ascertain whether enhanced accessibility through the expansion of subway network facilitates new service enterprises to capitalize on agglomeration economies, ultimately contributing to the transformation of the urban landscape. Using a matched dataset comprising 16,571 gird cells, each measuring 1 × 1 km in size, and information on newly registered service enterprises in Beijing from 2007 to 2018, we employ a mult-period difference-in-difference (DID) estimation methodology, leveraging exogenous shocks from the opening of new subway lines, to examine the causal relationship between subway openings and the location decision of service enterprises. Our findings indicate that the subway network positively influences the establishment of service enterprises, with a 53.8 % increase in newly registered service enterprises following the opening of a new subway line. Furthermore, the agglomeration effects of subway network are more salient for newly registered producer service enterprises, which tend to cluster in central areas, whereas consumer service enterprises demonstrate a preference for agglomeration in the city\u27s periphery, thereby contributing to the reconfiguration of the city\u27s urban structure
Exploring the role of objective and subjective factors on car commuters’ mode change: An integrated choice and latent variable approach based on the theory of planned behavior
No full textIdentifying the factors that affect the behavior of commuters has a significant impact on reaching effective Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policies. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can assist in identifying the structure of factors affecting the behavior of commuters, which is less considered in transportation studies. In this theory, it is assumed a specific behavior is influenced by subjective norms, Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC), and attitude toward that behavior. It should be noted that the empirical studies of TPB have paid less attention to some aspects such as the discrete nature of commuters’ mode choice behavior and the simultaneous consideration of objective and subjective variables that influence the transportation behavior of commuters. Therefore, in this study, with a face-to-face interview with the car commuters, their mode choice in the case of implementing three TDM policies (including two push policies of cordon and parking pricing and a pull policy of public transit development), has been evaluated in the structure of TPB considering objective and subjective variables in Tehran, Iran. The results of this study, which was conducted using the Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (ICLV) model, show that the TPB can be applied to explain the complexity of changing the trip mode of working car commuters. The results of this study confirm that the PBC and two subjective variables including pro-environmental attitude and the attitude toward transportation comfort, have a significant effect on the behavior of reducing private car usage
Joint optimization of metro travel reservation and compartment capacity allocation for an overcrowded metro line
No full textIn some mega cities, metro lines often experience severe congestion during peak hours, posing serious operational risks. To alleviate passenger delay and address overcrowded conditions, this study proposes a novel model for metro travel reservation and carriage reserved capacity. The model comprises three components: off-station queuing restrictions, dynamic loading constraints, and carriage reserved capacity constraints. A particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to allocate reservation quota by considering time-variant and location-dependent passenger demand and train supply. The paper applies the model to Nanjing Metro Line 3, using historical data to estimate passenger demand and compartment capacity, and evaluates its performance in four scenarios. The results demonstrate proposed approach efficiently obtains high-quality joint reservation plans, resulting in a notable reduction of approximately 20% in platform delay time and 50% in off-platform queuing time in suitable scenarios. The paper also discusses the implementation challenges and limitations, and provides recommendations for effective application
Exploiting modularity for co-modal passenger-freight transportation
No full textUsing a game theoretic approach, this paper explores a futuristic passenger-freight co-modality system that leverages autonomous modular vehicle (AMV) technology. In our model, a transit operator and a freight carrier operate within a stylized city, transporting passengers and parcels, respectively. The freight carrier can rent the transit operator’s underutilized transport capacity during off-peak periods through a market mechanism. By analyzing the design problems of both the operator and the carrier, we characterize their willingness-to-trade function, which defines the feasible region for a two-player game. We formulate four distinct market mechanisms, each corresponding to a different type of game. The first two are leader–follower Stackelberg games, differing in which player assumes the leadership role. The third mechanism features iterative negotiation between both players until equilibrium is achieved, while the fourth assumes full cooperation. Our results indicate that in the Stackelberg games, the leader captures all the benefits of co-modality, whereas neither player benefits in the negotiation game. Moreover, the carrier-led Stackelberg game proves more efficient than the operator-led one. Finally, while regulatory interventions such as price caps can promote a more equitable benefit distribution in the Stackelberg framework, similar outcomes are attainable without intervention in the cooperative game
Car use, mobility and transport satisfaction of older adults in Czechia: A gender perspective
No full textThe main objective of this article is to enhance understanding of factors that may influence mobility satisfaction and the use of motorised transport modes by older adults in Czechia in the context of gender equity. We used data from a large questionnaire survey that explored the main trends in mobility behaviour, needs and attitudes of the Czech population, focusing on key gender mobility issues. The answers of 2087 respondents aged 65 years and older were analysed by applying regression models. Our findings confirm the gender differences in car use. Older women in Czechia use public transport more and drive cars less than their male counterparts. Also, they are less satisfied with their overall transport options. However, in the subsequent regression analysis, gender didn\u27t significantly affect transport satisfaction. Our research\u27s major factors influencing transport satisfaction were age, physical disability, place of residence, car accessibility, and income. The gender distribution of the last two mentioned variables showed substantial differences with more negative impact on women, which probably resulted in lower transport satisfaction
A dynamic simulation model to improve the livability of transportation systems
No full textTransportation users often face shortcomings, such as unreliable service causing uncertainty in transit, low quality of service, and loss of time due to road and highway congestion. This study aims to improve the livability of the transportation system by considering several factors. System dynamics is used as a model development method to analyze the relationship between complex and nonlinear variables affecting the livability of the transportation system. The system structure of a valid model can be modified by adding multiple feedback loops, new parameters, and changing the feedback loop structure to see how it affects other variables. The scenario model is built from a valid model by changing the model structure to improve the livability of the transportation system through improvements in the perception, safety, security, and health level of public transport, land use accessibility, and mitigation of air pollution. These strategies are expected to increase the livability of the transportation system by 71%, driven by the improvement in perception, safety, security level, and health level of public transport, land use accessibility, and decreased air pollution