The aim of this thesis is to help understand the impact of street network configuration on travel behavior by modeling pedestrian travel to/from rapid transit rail stations. The primary goal is to determine whether and to what extent street connectivity is related to transit walk-mode shares and walking distances after controlling for population density, land-use mix, household income, and car ownership. The data are drawn from all the stations of Atlanta's rapid transit network (MARTA). The research shows that land-use mix and street connectivity around stations are significantly related to the decision to walk for transit. Importantly, the analysis reveals that station environments with higher street densities and more direct connections within 1, 0.5, and 0.25 mile radii are associated with higher proportion of walking shares among station patrons. Furthermore, the results of analyses for walk trip distances suggest that street networks with denser intersections and more linear alignments of road segments support greater walking distance thresholds. Overall, the findings confirm the hypotheses that well structured and differentiated street networks affect not only transit access/egress walk-mode shares but also the distance people are willing to walk to/from a station. Thus, this study provides some encouragement that effective policies designed to encourage new designs with the option to walk will actually support more sustainable cities in which transit systems can become integrated within urban culture.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Adequate and appropriate means of mobility are essential for the psychological and physical well-being of elderly persons. Elderly persons who live in urban regions encounter barriers to their mobility which are unique to them as group. Physical, psychological, and financial factors interact with urban form and the organization of public transportation to constrain access to usual private and public modes of transportation. As a result, many of the urban elderly cannot walk, drive, ride as a passenger, or ride on public transportation to important destinations. The demand for transportation by the urban elderly will be influenced by the following trends: - the aging of urban populations, - the growth of the frail elderly (persons over 75 years of age), - de-institutionalization, - suburbanization, - improving health and income status of elderly persons. The continuation of these trends will challenge planners to design transportation systems which are effective and efficient, and at the same time satisfactory to the elderly. There are three types of possible solutions to the mobility problems of an increasing number of urban elderly persons: - land-use planning, - the design traffic systems to accommodate elderly drivers, - the design of public transportation systems. Planners do not have the necessary instruments to implement effective land use solutions. Accommodating an increase in the number of elderly drivers conflicts with social goals to increase public transportation use by all age groups. The thesis argues the most effective solutions for overcoming elderly mobility problems are based on the design of public transportation systems. There are two public transportation solutions for assisting elderly persons with mobility problems. The first is making conventional public transportation more accessible. The second is expanding specialized transportation which is the focus of this thesis. Three policy issues have dominated the history of specialized transportation in North America. The first policy issue is whether public resources for assisting the transportation handicapped should be allocated to accessible conventional public transportation, or allocated to expanding specialized transportation. This is a debate as to which public transportation solution is the most effective for overcoming elderly mobility problems. The other two policy issues relate specifically to the design of specialized transportation. The second policy issue is what level of centralization provides the most effective and satisfactory service. The third policy issue is what are the appropriate roles of the public, non-profit, and for-profit sectors in the management and delivery of service. A particular specialized transportation system can be described by how the three policy issues have been resolved in the urban region this system serves. A specialized transportation system can be evaluated by indicators of efficiency, effectiveness, and elderly satisfaction. These descriptive and evaluative indicators are used to examine and compare specialized transportation in Greater Vancouver, Metropolitan Toronto, and the City of Edmonton. Four recommendations, based on the comparative examination, are made as to how specialized transportation in Greater Vancouver can be made more effective, efficient, and satisfactory to the elderly. These recommendations are: - further allocations of public resources to assist the transportation handicapped should be directed at specialized transportation; - greater use of telecommunications and computer technology to increase the effectiveness of scheduling and dispatching trips; - implement a block grant program to assist in the establishment of community based transportation alternatives; - implement a user side subsidy program as soon as possible; / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1965 G97 / Master of Science

Thesis (PhD (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 1998. / 147 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-v and numbered pages 1-1 to 8-8. Includes bibliography,list of figures and tables. Digitized using a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format (OCR). / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation describes the functions of bus and minibus taxi terminals and transfer facilities. Planning, design and evaluation guidelines are proposed. These proposals are aimed at the following aspects: the geometric features and functional layout of facilities in order to enhance the effective usage thereof by passengers, as well as the smooth flow of vehicles; the location of facilities and traffic control arrangements, which take cognisance of effective traffic flow as well as acceptable walking distance by commuters; and an evaluation methodology which addresses allocative efficiency from an economic viewpoint, supplemented by analysis guidelines which consider distributive efficiency from a viewpoint of equitable distribution of welfare. It is explained how benefits for travellers, the transit operator and the subsidizing authority, and the opportunity costs of supplying the facility can be determined. A model is proposed whereby the non-monetary component of generalised travel costs can be estimated. The use of economic evaluation techniques for the selection and prioritisation of projects is detailed. This is supplemented by an example of an economic evaluation of a proposed bus/minibus taxi terminal. Subsequently it is examined how the design and effectiveness of a real world passenger transport terminal could be affected by the use of the guidelines proposed in the dissertation. The dissertation, lastly, deals with welfare distribution and the more equitable community accessibility and mobility which can be brought about by the creation and use of passenger transport terminals and transfer facilities. Also discussed is the accommodation of welfare distribution with an economic evaluation as a means of achieving greater equity or fairness and the ways in which this can be done. / AFRIKANSE OPSOMMING: Die proefskrif beskryf die funksies van bus- en minibustaxivervoereindpunte en oorstapfasiliteite. Beplannings-, ontwerp- en evalueringsriglyne word voorgestel. Die voorsteUe is gerig op die volgende aspekte: (1) Die geometriese en funksionele uitieg om die doeltreffende gebruik deur passasiers en vloei van voertuie te bevorder; (2) fasiliteitplasing en verkeersbeheermaatreels wat vlot voertuigbeweging sowel as aanvaarbare stapafstand in ag neem; en (3) 'n evalueringsmetodologie wat toewysingsdoeltreffendheid vanuit 'n ekonomiese oogpunt en verdelingsdoeltreffendheid vanuit 'n billike welvaartsverdelingsoogpunt in ag neem. Dit word verduidelik hoe voordele vir reisigers, die transit-operateur en die subsidierende owerheid, en die geleentheidskoste van fasiliteitsvoorsiening bepaal kan word. 'n Model word voorgestel waarvolgens die nie-monetere gedeelte van veralgemeende reiskoste beraam kan word. Die gebruik van ekonomiese evalueringstegnieke vir die keuse en prioritisering van projekte word verskaf. Dit word aangevul met 'n voorbeeld van 'n ekonomiese evaluering van 'n voorgestelde bus/minibustaxi-eindpunt. Vervolgens word dit ondersoek hoe die ontwerp en doeltreffendheid van 'n werklike passasiervervoereindpunt deur die gebruik van die voorgestelde riglyne beinvloed kan word. Ten slotte word welvaartverdeling en die groter toeganklikheid en beweeglikheid behandel wat binne 'n gemeenskap geskep kan word deur die voorsiening en gebruik van passasiersvervoereindpunte en oorstapfasiliteite. Dit word bespreek hoe 'n ekonomiese evaluering aangepas kan word as 'n maatreel om billikheid te bevorder.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public and private transport system planning and operation have tended to be fragmented functions. In particular, public transport is often planned and operated independently of the "private" transport system. South African government policy now requires that comprehensive, strategic transport plans be prepared by metropolitan transport authorities. These plans are expected to conform to national strategic objectives as well as including local current and longterm objectives. This planning is required in the environment of a multi-modal, multi-operator, public-private partnership scenario that is new for most of the role players. The lack of experience is accompanied by a lack of any existing model for dealing with this scenario. This dissertation describes such a model. The model is based on the principles of strategic logistics management commonly employed in commerce and industry, including service-oriented industries. The modelling process is thus based on achieving a combination of customer service and long-term objectives. The model comprises a number of separate components and steps: • A transport network model (Emme/2). ~ A multi-class, generalised-cost assignment of private and public transport demand onto a network, modified to be modeless to the public transport users, is performed. This assignment allows for the imposition of generalised-cost reflecting urban-planning objectives in addition to more conventional costs such as travel cost. In this assignment, the interaction of public and private transport is accounted for and results in an associated modal choice. ~ A series of single-class generalised-cost assignments is then used to "focus" public transport demand to create corridors of demand adequate to justify public transport routes. This process can be enhanced to develop a design promoting switching from private to public transport. It also allows for multi-period route design. ~ The results of this modelling process are output to a text file and then subject to the processes described below. The results of these processes are then input into the network model where a standard transit assignment is performed and used to modify the proposed lines and update the network design data with respect to boardings and alightings at nodes. This information is used to design fixed infrastructure. • A Microsoft Access database and route extraction program. );> The network model data is drawn into the database where it is subject to a route extraction program that converts the assignment results from the network model into a set of mode specific potential public transport route definitions. These route definitions are based on paths of maximum demand. The extraction process is controlled by parameters specified by the planner, such as minimum route lengths and the demand level for various categories of service. );> After route extraction, vehicle allocation, and transit assignment, the database provides details of the boardings and alightings and number and details of transit lines using each node and link in the network. This data is used to design fixed infrastructure. • A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet vehicle operating cost model. );> For each vehicle type, the operating cost given the anticipated vehicle mileage and operating speed is determined. This is used to guide the choice of vehicles for different routes. • A Lingo goal-programming model. );> The potential routes and the available or potential fleet are subjected to a goalprogramme in which the optimum choice of vehicle allocation is determined. The allocation parameters can be controlled by the planner. These parameters may include costs, energy, fuel consumption, and vehicle and route limitations amongst others. Multiperiod design is included in the modelling process so that the optimum design may be for the operating period, daily, or weekly cycle. The modelling process provides two main outputs: • A set of fully described and costed transit lines ill terms of both routing and vehicle allocation. These transit line definitions can be output to the level of driver instructions if necessary. • Details of the type and location of infrastructure to be provided on the network. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Openbare en private vervoerstelsel-beplanning en -bedryf IS geneig om gefragmenteerde funksies te wees. Dit is veral waarneembaar in die openbare vervoerstelsels waarvan die beplanning en bedryf onafhanklik van die "private" vervoerstelsels plaasvind. Die beleid van die Suid-Afrikaanse regering vereis dat omvattende strategiese vervoerplanne deur die metropolitaanse vervoer owerhede voorberei word. Daar word van hierdie planne verwag om aan die nasionale strategiese doelwitte, asook die plaaslike bestaande en langtermyn doelwitte te voldoen. Hierdie beplanning word vereis deur 'n omgewing wat nuut is vir die meeste rolspelers en bestaan uit multi-modale, multi-operateur en openbare-private vennootskap scenario's. Die tekort aan ondervinding gaan gepaard met 'n tekort aan 'n bestaande model wat gebruik kan word om hierdie scenario's te hanteer. So 'n model word deur hierdie verhandeling beskryf. Die model is gebasseer op die beginsels van strategiese logistieke bestuur wat algemeen gebruik word in die handel en industrie, insluitende die diens-georïenteerde industrieë. Die modelleringsproses wil dus 'n kombinasie van diens aan kliënte en langtermyn doelwitte bereik. Die model bestaan uit onderskeie komponente en stappe: • 'n Vervoernetwerkmodel (Emmel2) }i;> 'n Multi-klas, veralgemeende-koste toedeling van private en openbare vervoeraanvraag op 'n netwerk, aangepas om modusloos te wees vir die openbare vervoergebruiker, word uitgevoer. Hierdie toedeling laat nie net die heffing van meer konvensionele kostes, soos reiskoste toe nie, maar ook veralgemeende kostes wat staatsbeplarmingsdoelwitte reflekteer. In hierdie opdrag word die interaksie van openbare- en private vervoer ondersoek waarvan die uiteinde 'n geassosieerde modale keuse is. }i;> 'n Reeks enkelklas veralgemeende koste toedelings word dan gebruik om op openbare vervoeraanvraag te fokus en daardeur korridors van aanvraag, wat gepas is om openbare vervoerroetes te regverdig, te skep. Hierdie proses kan verfyn word om 'n plan te ontwikkel wat die verskuiwing van private vervoer na openbare vervoer sal bevorder. Dit laat ook die ontwerp van multi-periode roetes toe. }i;> Die resultate van hierdie modelleringsproses word uitgevoer na 'n tekslêer en dan aan die prosesse, wat hier onder beskryf word, onderwerp. Die resultate van hierdie prosesse word dan ingevoer in die netwerkmodel waar 'n standaard publieke vervoertoedeling uitgevoer word. Dit word dan gebruik om die voorgestelde roetes te wysig en die netwerk data, met betrekking tot die aantal persone wat op en af klim by nodes, op te dateer. Hierdie inligting word gebruik vir die ontwerp van infrastrukture. • 'n Microsoft Access databasis en roete-ontrekkingsprogram );> Die netwerkmodel data word in die databasis ingetrek waar dit aan 'n roeteontrekkingsprogram onderwerp word. Hierdie program skakel die toedelingsresultate van die netwerkmodel om na 'n stel potensiële modus spesifieke openbare vervoerroete definisies. Hierdie roete definisies word gebasseer op paaie van maksimum aanvraag. Die ontrekkingsproses word deur parameters, soos minimum lengte van roetes en die vlak van aanvraag van verskeie kategorieë van diens, wat deur die beplanner gespesifiseer word, gekontroleer. );> Na die ontrekking van roetes, voertuigtoekenning en vervoertoedeling, voorsien die databasis besonderhede van die aantal persone wat op en af klim asook die aantal en details van vervoerroete wat elke node en skakel in die netwerk gebruik. Hierdie data word gebruik om infrastrukture te ontwerp. • 'n Microsoft Excel sigblad voertuig bedryfskoste model )i> Vir elke tipe voertuig word die bedryfskoste, volgens die verwagte afstand en spoed van die spesifieke voertuig, bepaal. Die resultate word gebruik om die keuse van voertuie vir verskillende roetes te bepaal. • 'n Lingo doelprogrameringsmodel );> Die potensiële roetes en die beskikbare of potensiële vloot word onderwerp aan 'n doelprogram waarin die optimum keuse van voertuigtoekenning bepaal word. Die toekenningsparameters kan deur die beplanner gekontroleer word. Die parameters kan onder andere kostes, energie, brandstofverbruik en voertuig- en roete beperkings, insluit. Multi-periode ontwerp is ingesluit in die modelleringsproses sodat die optimum ontwerp vir die bedryfsperiode, daaglikse of weeklikse siklusse, kan wees. Die modelleringsproses lewer twee hoofuitkomste: • 'n Stel volledig beskrywende en koste berekende vervoerroete wat, indien nodig, na die vlak van bestuurder instruksies, uitgevoer kan word. • Details van die tipe en plek van infrastruktuur wat benodig word deur die netwerk.

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy