Impact of BRTS on travel pattern: a case study of Bhopal BRTS

Abstract

With rapid growing economies and population in the cities, there is increasing trend in the expansion of urban sprawl and mobilization. Sustainable transport modes are now-a-days considered to be a replacement to conventional public transport systems; which also give a hand in alleviating congestion with an integrated transport system which is affordable, space and resource efficient, and minimizes environmental impacts. As a consequence, encouraging and improving public transport system in developing and the developed world has got wider attention and rapid transit options; such as Bus Rapid Transport System has evolved as much affordable and sustainable mobility option. BRT is regarded as sustainable, environmental friendly transport mode and is being implemented in many cities of the world. BRT was best suited in mid-size cities like Bhopal with lack or deficient bus services, where the social structure is basically middle class, where there is high demand, irrespective of availability of ROW, as it can operate in a mixed traffic situation also. BRT’s basic concept is to relieve road space by reducing the individual vehicles with low occupancy, by carrying them in a comfortable, time bound, and mass transit mode. This thesis will examined how best BRT can be interfaced with the local bus system of Bhopal to accommodate the existing systems and their routes. Because of the constant rise in the number of motorized vehicles and growing affluence has manifested in the rise in number of cars in the Bhopal City. Hence there was a need to wean people away from private vehicles and persuade them to use public transport. The only way this could be done is by introducing a good Public Transport System; and BRTS was the best option for Bhopal city. BRT is being functional; but it is not certain how many people would shift from their current mode of transport to the new system of transport. None of the studies, done so far make this estimate. It is also important to look at other policy measures which can influence the mode shift. This study therefore looks at how the modal shift be applied for the current BRTS scenario and the post scenario. Also to analyse what will be the effect of implementation of the intervention on existing system, judging the performance of the Post implementation scenarios. To analyse possible modal shift to BRTS in future can be calculated on the basis of calculated willingness to shift as per set of predefined mode choice. The thesis will aim to calculate how measures of opportunity and inclination relate to each other in terms of the potential for shift between personal vehicle travel and bus travel. Evaluating the existing BRTS scenario using Stated Preference Survey, constructing discrete choice model will make it possible to represent and analyse modal shift applied to the system. The BRTS is likely to be introduced in the current transportation system and depending upon the utility of the mode; people are likely to shift to the same. This will result in increased use of public transit, a reduction of personal automobile use; which will overall reduce the congestion, travel time, and will increase travel speed. Hence the proposed system is likely to enhance mobility and accessibility to various parts of the city.