Monash University, Institute of Transport Studies: World Transit Research (WTR)
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The effect of urban rail station area development on the vulnerability of city blocks to infectious disease spread
No full textUrban rail transit-oriented development (TOD) always promotes the economic, ecological and social sustainability of wider areas by developing rail station areas (RSAs). However, less is focused on its influence on the safety, especially facing epidemic threats. This study explored the significance and heterogeneity of RSA development influencing the vulnerability of city-blocks to the spread of infectious diseases, using Beijing (China) case and applying the statistical analysis of ‘disordered multiple logistic regression model’ and the visualization method of ArcGIS. We found distributions of city-blocks’ population vulnerability (PV) and built environmental vulnerability (EV) are typically associated with the rail network. Blocks with a large RSA coverage are more likely to show high PV but different EV, blocks with a high RSA rail interchange level are more likely to exhibit low EV but different PV. The effect of the RSA commercial service level is insignificant. This study verified the growth and decline in the PV and EV of blocks are probably due to ‘temporal difference’ and ‘spatial difference’ of RSA development, highlighting the need to be vigilant in different scenarios of RSA development. The results will contribute to risk identification, containment decisions and integrative planning for safety and development in areas with RSAs
Optimization of electric bus dispatching interval considering stochastic traffic conditions
No full textDue to their efficient and environmentally friendly features, electric buses have become the key to solving urban transportation and environmental problems. However, existing studies primarily concentrate on optimizing schedules under fixed operational scenarios. This paper proposes a scheduling optimization approach to investigate the impact of stochastic traffic conditions on electric bus operations. First, a static dispatching interval optimization model is established, balancing the interests of the service and operation sides by measuring the passenger and company costs. Then, stochastic model formulas are designed considering three stochastic traffic conditions. Finally, a probabilistic evolution model is developed to improve the genetic algorithm. Based on the bus operation data in Harbin, we validate the model’s performance in enhancing operational benefits. Results reveal that the impact of stochasticity is nonlinear and more significant on passenger travel quality. Furthermore, retrofitting buses and upgrading routes are beneficial to reducing costs and improving travel experience
Unveiling the evolution of urban rail transit network: considering ridership attributes
No full textPrevious research on urban rail transit (URT) evolution mainly focused on network topology, neglecting ridership attributes. This study extracts ridership and network topology indicators from Chinese URT data. Employing a self-organizing mapping neural network model, it divides China’s URT development into four stages. The initial stage and the development stage form the framework of URT network. The network diameter reaches the maximum in the networked operation stage. In the mature stage, URT network densification occurs alongside a significant increase in resident ridership. It is also found that each network indicator has a significant nonlinear relationship with ridership attributes. These findings are of guiding significance for urban planners to accurately understanding URT’s future development and rational network planning and construction
Getting Public Transport Networked: It’s Not Just Complicated, It’s Complex
No full textThis paper explores the complexity of implementing significant changes to public transport systems, particularly those changes designed to create systems that can complete with the private car. It does this by looking at a case of implementing Networked Public Transport from Bozhou, China. After four months of political decision making, Bozhou undertook to radically alter their public transport system, implementing what is known as “one road one line” public transport. The changes were implemented in a period of two months in the manner of fixing a machine. Transport experts developed the new system, realigning the established bus system by drawing lines on a map, and then implemented it under the direction of the government. Complications were dealt with, but little to no consideration was given to the multiple interconnections of parts which create complexity. Traditional governance failure to deal with this complexity caused a backlash from the public. The paper suggests that non-linear oriented governance with a creative and holistic approach to implementation inside the broader context, might support a successful implementation, as might an approach that directly deal with consumers’ psychological demands and behavioural changes. Further studies should be conducted to explore how people can manage such complex implementations
Inequitable inefficiency: A case study of rail transit fare policies
No full textTransit fare equity research overwhelmingly measures equity based on disparity in the fare paid for travel without consideration of the costs of service delivery. Research also ignores the cost-sharing nature of transit—as more riders consume it, the average cost per rider declines. Together, this leaves an incomplete understanding about who receives more subsidy. This study measures equity by analyzing spatial and temporal cost recovery variability of two rail systems, BART in the San Francisco Bay Area and MARTA in Atlanta. I scale origin-destination trip cost recoveries to stations and operating time periods and find that travel associated with outlying areas and off-peak times receive more subsidy. I further find that subsidy patterns are marginally progressive; they positively correlate with select disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. I offer ideas on why these findings appear divergent from past research
The opportunities and challenges in keeping over-rail developments on track
No full textThe Australian built environment adjoining rail infrastructure and rail corridors is undergoing significant transformation following government tender for several unprecedented over-station developments such as the developments along the metro in Sydney. This has led State governments to consider innovative strategies to activate railway tracks such as the mooted deck over the rail yards of Sydney\u27s Central Station to expand the city\u27s evolving Tech Central precinct and, more recently, exploration of a three-hectare deck to connect Flinders St with the Yarra River in Melbourne to deliver a public park, an events space, and improved pedestrian access to the Melbourne CBD. Over-rail projects provide an exciting opportunity to deliver well-located developments which re-activate underutilised public spaces and yield outstanding placemaking outcomes for the community. This article canvases some of the key considerations for these projects including the heritage aspects, public realm and ground level activation opportunities, planning risks, operational requirements, contractor and interface risks and the appropriate investment structures. The observations suggest that there are a number of gateway issues that governments and developers should address proactively to secure project objectives and public outcomes, and ultimately there is sufficient merit to re-activating these well-located sites provided the parties adopt appropriate mitigation strategies
Retrospective cross-sectional observational study on commuters\u27 travel behaviour and preferences in Delhi: Impact of built environment, individual attitude and socio-economic factors
No full textThis study examines the factors influencing the travel behaviour of Delhi\u27s working population, utilizing retrospective cross-sectional data from 2005 to 2019 collected across four neighbourhoods. The research provides empirical evidence on how travel mode choices have evolved over time in response to changes in the built environment and socioeconomic conditions. GIS-based analysis was conducted to assess the impact of temporal variations in the built environment on travel behaviour. Results reveal a 21% increase in the reliance on private modes of transportation between 2005 and 2019, with the most significant rise observed in 4-wheeler usage. Conversely, bus usage declined by 32%, attributed to various factors including overcrowding, hygiene concerns, and perceived reliability issues. However, in 2019, Connaught Place reported the highest bus usage at 28%, attributed to its high bus stop density, while enhanced metro facilities across the neighbourhoods led to a 20% increase in overall metro ridership. Multinomial logistic regression analysis identified key socioeconomic determinants of travel behaviour, including age, gender, income, vehicle ownership, and commuter attitude. In 2005, two-wheeler preference over buses was primarily driven by vehicle ownership (O.R.: 620.95), gender (O.R.: 4.20), and income (O.R.: 1.28). By 2019, commuter attitude (ProPV) emerged as a significant factor, alongside vehicle ownership (O.R.: 136.72), ProPV (O.R.: 21.41), and income (O.R.: 2.14). A similar trend was observed for car usage, highlighting the increasing influence of commuter behaviour and attitudes on travel choices over time. These findings underscore critical policy implications for the development and enhancement of Delhi\u27s transport system, offering insights that could be applicable to other cities facing similar challenges
Analyzing the deviation between bus behavioral intention and actual behavior: a case study in Suzhou, China
No full textBus priority is critical for promoting sustainable transportation and carbon neutrality. However, a discrepancy between behavioral intention and actual behavior might hinder the effectiveness of bus service improvement strategies. To assure high behavioral intention and consistent travel behavior, this study analyzes the factors that influence these features across different traveler groups. This study divides travelers into four categories depending on their intention and behavior. MIMIC models are designed to investigate factors that influence intention. Furthermore, the study examines factors impacting travel frequency among those with high and low intention. The findings show that 45.6% of travelers have inconsistent intention and behavior. While bus departure frequency affects all travelers, other aspects differ. Timeliness is a critical component in increasing travel frequency among high-intention travelers, while bus service reliability is the primary factor influencing low-intention travelers. These findings provide specific suggestions for different groups to assure bus ridership
How the interplay of monitoring-enabled digital technologies and human factors facilitates or hinders metro systems’ resilient response to operational disruptions
No full textThe metro is susceptible to disruption risks and requires a system response capability to build resilience to manage disruptions. Achieving such resilient response state requires readiness in both the technology side, e.g., utilizing digital technologies (DTs) to monitor system components, and the human factors side, e.g., fostering positive human coping capabilities; however, these two sides are usually considered independently, without sufficient integration. This paper aims to develop and empirically test a model in which monitoring-enabled DTs, employees\u27 reactions, and their positive capabilities are simultaneously considered in terms of their interplay and impact on system response capability. The results showed that while DTs for monitoring physical components enhanced perceived management commitment and fostered collective efficacy, DTs for monitoring human components increased psychological strain and inhibited improvisation capability, creating a double-edged sword effect on system response capability. Additionally, explicit management commitment buffered the adverse effect of DTs-induced psychological strain on individual improvisation
Women\u27s perceived safety in public places and public transport: A narrative review of contributing factors and measurement methods
No full textWomen\u27s perception of safety in public spaces is influenced not only by potential risks of crime or accidents but also by diverse built environment, individual, and social characteristics. These impacts can manifest through a disruption of social engagement and outdoor activities, which can negatively affect their mobility, overall quality of life, and well-being. This study employs a narrative review approach of 32 academic articles to identify various factors that can affect women\u27s perception of safety in public places and while using public transport. We further selected 21 studies that provide substantive data on the built environment, individual characteristics, and social factors, while also examining their intersectionality. By adopting an intersectionality framework, we evaluated the relative importance of each factor based on its consistency and prominence in previous research and assessed their significance in contributing to women\u27s perception of safety. The findings highlight the importance of urban design and built environment improvements, such as street lighting and walking path conditions, in enhancing women\u27s perceived safety. They also suggest integrating social and built factors into safety strategies and emphasise the potential of emerging technologies for collecting data and assessing safety perceptions across diverse populations