Integration of bicycle as feeder mode to the BRTS: case of Bhopal

Abstract

India is increasingly becoming one of the fastest growing countries exhibiting rapid urbanization. This phenomenon has resulted in increased vehicle ownership, and negative motorization effects such as congestion, polluted streets and degradation in the quality of life at large. Thus, there lies an urgent need to promote cleaner and sustainable non-motorized transport modes such as walking and cycling to mitigate the effects of unplanned urbanization. Despite the large number of bicycle users in Indian cities, users suffer from the neglect in both provision and services pertaining to cycling. Moreover, due to disintegration between bicycle and walking with public transport, the full benefits are not fully harnessed. This study focuses on the need to integrate the bicycle as a feeder mode with the bus rapid transit (BRT) for a city of Bhopal. The patterns of the bicycle and BRT usage among different socio-economic groups are studied. Furthermore, study explore the possibilities of integration between these modes and finally, recommend suitable intermodal transport measures that would complement bicycle and bus rapid transit users as well as systems. In this study, various surveys are carried to understand the present socio-economic and travel characteristics. Many traffic surveys viz volume count, passenger boarding and alighting at BRT stops, Bicycle user survey, and household OD were conducted. To analyse the data, socio-economic variables were correlated with trip variables for both the user groups (Bicycle and BRT users). The study concluded that last-mile-connectivity of BRT commuters is majorly achieved through walking an average distance of 0.5-2 km, demonstrating a need for intervention through bicycle usage The willingness to shift survey results reveal that if infrastructure of bicycle users is fulfilled, then it is possible that 56% of the commuters might shift to Bicycle. This possibility would reduce travel time as well as additional transport costs incurred on private travel. This study recommends the operation of bicycle services connecting neighborhoods lying on Sub-Arterial, Collector, and Local roads. A need is established to provide seamless integration between cycle and BRT users through the provision of private bicycle storage facilities. Likewise a Bicycle sharing system is highly recommended for its promotion especially for neighborhoods lying within a vicinity of 500 meters to address first and the last mile connectivity to BRT issues. Furthermore, there is a need to subsidize the Manufacturing costs of bicycles through soft loans to the users and vehicle manufactures.