Identification of optimal park-and-ride locations and user-satisfaction levels for Hyderabad metro rail

Abstract

Urban mass transit in cities that are expanding rapidly such as Hyderabad comes under mounting pressure from rising private car usage, traffic congestion, and environmental concerns. Park-and-Ride (P&R) facilities are one of the primary solutions adopted by cities to reduce these pressures and promote a shift away from private cars towards mass transit, particularly metro rail systems. But the success of such facilities largely depends on how well they are planned, where precisely they are, and how closely they are integrated with the hopes and needs of daily commuters. This research investigates the current state of P&R facilities integrated in the Hyderabad Metro Rail system and determines means by which their efficiency can be optimized through evidence-based spatial planning. A combination of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques—specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)—and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), supported by the application of QGIS software, was employed to analyze and rank suitable sites for future P&R development. The study takes into account several key factors, including accessibility to public transport, population density, conformity with surrounding land use, and environmental restrictions. Besides spatial analysis, a user survey was conducted to obtain real-world information on commuter satisfaction and preference. The responses were analyzed through an Importance-Satisfaction (IS) model to determine service aspects that need to be addressed. Results show severe gaps between the existing facility locations and those obtained as optimal through spatial analysis. While some areas are over-served or poorly located, others of high potential remain unused. Besides, the survey showed dissatisfaction from users of different parts of current P&R services, including provision of safety, maintenance, affordability, and convenience. Results like this point towards not only the location of where to put the P&R sites but also that they are well served by associated services and infrastructure. This thesis offers a model that combines commuter behavior data and spatial intelligence to inform better planning and implementation of P&R systems. The approach is designed to help urban planners and metro authorities make better decisions that can boost connectivity, reduce congestion, and enhance the uptake of sustainable public transport in Hyderabad. The findings and methodology also offer valuable lessons for other similar metropolitan cities wishing to enhance their urban mobility systems. Key Words: Park-and-Ride, Hyderabad Metro, User Satisfaction, Urban Mobility, Location Optimization, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)